My research group is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to conduct research on forecasting and risk mapping of mosquito borne diseases. We are currently engaged in two projects that integrate public health surveillance with environmental monitoring to predict the timing and locations of future disease outbreaks. The Epidemic Prognosis Incorporating Disease and Environmental Monitoring for Integrated Assessment (EPIDEMIA) system links malaria case surveillance with remotely sensed environmental data to predict malaria outbreaks in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The South Dakota Mosquito Information System (SDMIS) combines entomological surveillance with gridded meteorological data to generate weekly risk maps for West Nile virus in the north-central USA. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to these projects by using remotely sensed data to develop novel environmental indices of disease risk, analyzing relationships between environmental variability and spatial and temporal patterns of disease, developing R code to carry out operational disease forecasting, and working with public health partners to implement the results for decision support.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. in epidemiology, geography, ecology, statistics or a related field. The preferred candidate will have experience with (1) processing geospatial datasets, including satellite remote sensing data, (2) applying spatio-temporal statistics to analyze ecological and epidemiological datasets, and (3) writing code and developing packages using the R programming language. A background in disease ecology, particularly mosquito-borne disease, is also desirable, although we will consider qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds who have a strong interest in learning about disease ecology and outbreak forecasting. To apply for this position, send the following information in electronic form to michael.wimbe...@sdstate.edu: cover letter, curriculum vitae, names and contact information for three references, and unofficial copies of transcripts. Review of applications will begin on May 1st, 2017 and continue until the position has been filled. The position is available beginning June 1st, 2017 but the exact start date is negotiable. For more information contact: Michael C. Wimberly Professor and Senior Scientist Geospatial Sciences Center of Excellence Wecota Hall 506B South Dakota State University Brookings, SD 57007‐3510 (605) 688‐5350 michael.wimbe...@sdstate.edu
