Postdoctoral research scientist – Emerging infectious diseases (WNS and Bsal)
The increasing the number of novel infectious diseases over the past few decades, especially those caused by fungal pathogens, has resulted in substantial population declines and loss of biodiversity. Two wildlife pathogens of particular interest to US agencies include white nose syndrome (WNS) in bats and the salamander chytrid fungus (Bsal). Several US agencies actively participate in working groups to develop management strategies and identify research priorities for these diseases. I am seeking a postdoctoral scientists to help improve the development of disease management strategies for WNS and Bsal management and research communities by building capacity for applying decision analytics to common problems in disease management (as identified by stakeholders and decision makers). The candidate will work directly with resource managers on pressing disease management decisions. First, the candidate, in consultation with USFWS, will develop a decision framework to aid in USFWS WNS annual research funding allocation for developing lab and field treatments. Additionally, they will work with a subset of federal and state managers to begin to identify suitable management and control strategies to address the pathogen spread and management within the US. As part of this work, the candidate will continue to provide support for the use of decision analytic approaches in addressing WNS management and research problems by introducing frameworks to both the disease management working group workshop and broader WNS community. Second, the USGS recently held a Bsal workshop with federal and state agencies to begin to frame management decisions, develop a rapid response plan, and identify surveillance needs and research priorities. The candidate will work with a subset of managers to expand the initial decision model prototype from the workshop to develop and assess alternative management strategies and identify pressing research needs regarding Bsal threat to salamanders for several federal and state management agencies. Funding is available for three years; conditional on successful completion of a first year Qualifications: Competitive candidates will have skills in modeling, estimation, and optimization, with previous experience leading a collaborative research project and familiarity with disease ecology, epidemiology, amphibian ecology or bat ecology a plus but not necessary. The successful candidate will also have excellent writing and personal communication skills. Applicants are expected to have earned a Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline, preferably within the last 5 years. Benefits: Salary and benefits is competitive, with support available for 1 year with possibility of extension for an additional 2 years pending satisfactory progress. Some travel funds will be available to support visits with study team members and outside cooperators, to attend regional workshops during model development, and to attend professional conferences. Application: Send a letter describing your background and experiences as they relate to this position, and a CV with names and contact information for three references to Evan Grant ([email protected]). I encourage applicants to send the above by 24 June 2016.
