POSITION STATEMENT Position Title: Postdoctoral Fellow (Colorado State University, Department of Fish, Wildlife, & Conservation Biology)
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Salary: $55,000 Start date: negotiable (ideally January 2019) Description: Full-time, one-year initial term with strong possibility for extension depending on performance and project funding. The position is funded entirely from federal sources under a USDA Agreement. DUTIES The successful candidate will work in collaboration with scientists from Colorado State University (CSU) and USDA-APHIS out of the National Wildlife Research Centre (NWRC) in Fort Collins, CO. The CSU scientist (PI: Dr. George Wittemyer) works on large mammal conservation and behaviour, with an emphasis on analysis of spatially explicit population processes. The NWRC scientist (PI: Dr. Kim Pepin) is a quantitative disease ecologist with emphasis on developing risk assessment and optimal management tools. The direction of this research position will be crafted to take advantage of the applicant’s expertise, the capabilities of the CSU and NWRC science team, and existing NWRC datasets. Research directions include: 1) The connectivity structure of feral swine and cattle that assesses the strength of connectivity from direct and indirect (through resources) contacts and determines how removals impact the connectivity structure. Relatedly, we seek to understand how changes in the connectivity structure affect the risk of disease transmission within feral swine and spillover to cattle, using simulations and transmission pathway analyses of genetic data from virus genotypes and bacterial communities. 2) Development of a method for linking resource selection functions (RSFs) to contact structure and disease transmission. 3) General support of work on movement of feral swine around the country focusing on the development of movement models that examine feral swine RSFs near and away from crops and how management can influence space use. REQUIREMENTS 1. Ph.D. degree in a pertinent biological, physical, or computer science field by start date of position. 2. Strong publication record. 3. Demonstrated competency in statistical modeling. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES 1. Experience in disease modeling. 2. Experience in movement modeling. 3. Experience in quantitative modeling and analyzing large datasets. 4. Demonstrated experience working in collaborative research settings. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applicants should create a single document (Word or pdf) that includes a letter of interest that highlights the desired attributes specified in the job description, CV/resume, unofficial transcripts, and a list of three references and their contact information. The name of the file should contain the last and first name of the applicant (e.g., Doe.Jane.pdf). The letter of interest should include a statement of the applicant's areas of interest regarding ecological research on spatial disease ecology and/or animal movement modelling, including the applicant's perception of the most important research questions in this discipline, the connections between these areas of research and the applicant’s prior work, and an account of the applicant’s skills in statistics, modelling, and other pertinent quantitative methods. For full consideration submit application by October 1, 2018. Upload application to: http://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/59947 For inquiries, please contact Dr. George Wittemyer (g.wittem...@colostate.edu) via e-mail with “Movement and Disease Postdoc” in the subject line. Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non- discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services. Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history.
