Postdoctoral Position, Avian Influenza at Iowa State University Description While waterfowl and shorebirds are natural reservoirs for avian influenza viruses (AIV), these viruses can infect domestic poultry to devastating ends, as exemplified by recent AIV outbreaks in the Midwest US. It is unclear, however, exactly how domestic poultry are being exposed to AIV. Understanding whether other wildlife (outside of waterfowl and shorebirds) and/or environmental sources can act as conduits for AIV transmission to domestic poultry is critical. A postdoctoral position is available immediately to investigate the potential role of small resident birds, rodents, and insects as well as environmental sources such as water and feed in the transmission of avian influenza viruses to domestic poultry. The project consists of both field surveillance and experimental studies (e.g., persistence of AIV in feed and on feathers) to address critical ecological aspects of avian influenza transmission. The position will be housed in both the Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Department in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The candidate selected will be responsible for leading a small team to conduct field work capturing and sampling wildlife at wetlands and poultry facilities. Field work will include the use of mist nets for trapping birds and Sherman traps for collecting rodents, blood sampling, and oropharyngeal swabbing. The candidate will participate in experimental work related to identifying potential environmental reservoirs for AIV. Finally, the candidate will be involved with lab work including AIV PCR, virus isolation and sequencing, as well as serology. Qualifications and Expectations Candidates should have prior experience handling and sampling wild birds, be comfortable leading small field teams and training undergraduate students, possess excellent writing and data analysis capabilities, and be interested in gaining more laboratory experience. Individuals with working knowledge and/or experience of the laboratory methods stated above would be given preference. Given the recent, devastating outbreaks of Avian Influenza in the US, prompt analysis and publication of findings is essential.
Funding and Other Information Salary will be approximately $43,000 annually, depending on experience. The project is funded for one year by the Egg Industry Center at Iowa State. Extension of the appointment is possible and desired, contingent upon funding and performance. To apply, please email me the following documents: a cover letter outlining relevant experience, interests, and career goals, your CV, copies of up to three relevant publications, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until September 30th, 2015. Contact Please send application materials to: Dr. James S. Adelman, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, adelm...@iastate.edu And Dr. Yuko Sato, Poultry Diagnostics and Extension Veterinarian, Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Department, Iowa State University, ys...@iastate.edu
