EcoHealth Alliance is seeking a quantitative disease ecologist to work closely with our team on multiple projects studying bat-borne zoonotic viruses. We are seeking someone with excellent statistical and computational skills, strong communication skills, and the ability to work with a diverse, multi-disciplinary team that includes scientists from across the globe. This is a key position at a rapidly growing NGO with diversely funded scientific research programs around the world focused on conservation and zoonotic disease emergence. This position requires experience with, and an ability to learn, a variety of ecological and epidemiological statistical techniques including generalized linear and additive, spatiotemporal, mixed-effect, Bayesian mixture and occupancy models, as well as proficiency with R and reproducible methods. Responsibilities include leading analysis of longitudinal and spatially extensive disease surveillance data, providing technical input into study design, collaborating on project implementation and data management, training and mentoring junior scientists, and grant and manuscript writing. Above all, a passion for understanding the process of zoonotic disease emergence is key.

This position is based in New York City with a remote (including international) option, starting before the end of 2022. The candidate must be available to collaborate with team members via email, chat, and video calls during US EST business hours and be available as needed to coordinate with collaborators in other international time zones. The position will require international travel as well as regular travel to the New York office for a remote candidate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Principal Scientist for Computational Research and Vice President for Science and Outreach, the Research Scientist will:

• Lead analysis and model-building to interpret data and publish results from multiple wildlife and human disease ecology research projects
• Analyze, visualize, and summarize complex, high-dimensional data to extract insights and trends and communicate these to diverse audiences
• Produce reproducible, well-documented and organized analysis code for publication and re-use
• Provide support and consultation to project collaborators and other team members on quantitative methods.
• Support design of studies and sampling schemes
• Write and revise scientific publications and reports
• Work with EcoHealth Alliance scientists to develop new scientific research projects and research proposals on pandemic preparedness and emerging disease ecology
• Engage openly and respectfully with EcoHealth Alliance scientists and partners across multiple projects as required and at all stages, from development to implementation to publication/communication
• Present work and represent EcoHealth Alliance at conferences and scientific meetings and in outreach to current and potential collaborators, donors, and other audiences
• Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in Ecology, Epidemiology, Data Science, Biostatistics, or a related field, or an M.S. in in those these fields and with equivalent research experience (2+ years). B.A. or B.S. candidates with a relevant degree will be considered with 4+ years relevant research experience.
• Demonstrated experience in analyzing complex ecological and/or epidemiological data using appropriate models such as generalized linear and additive models, spatiotemporal models, mixed-effect models, Bayesian mixture and occupancy models
• Demonstrated ability to self-teach new statistical methods and computational tools • Strong R programming and data management skills
• Strong project management skills, including proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and deadlines while working with multiple teams
• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document methods and results and communicate effectively with colleagues.
• Positive attitude towards solving complex problems.
• Strong sense of team spirit and cultural sensitivity
• Fluency in English

ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience and training in movement ecology and analysis of telemetry data, home range analysis, and related methods
• Experience and training in bat biology, ecology, and/or immunology
• Experience building mechanistic models (e.g., SIR, predation) and fitting them to data
• Knowledge and experience in methods of reproducible research and automation: git, GitHub, SQL databases, command-line, automation tools and interactive dashboards
• A record of scientific publications

Compensation will be $75,000 – $85,000 USD annually, commensurate with skills and experience.

At EcoHealth Alliance, our vision is a workplace with a diverse and talented staff where people want to come, to stay, do their best work, and grow. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote our staff without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or socioeconomic status. EcoHealth Alliance offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, and vision coverage, and a 403(b) pension plan. EcoHealth Alliance is proudly and deeply committed to being an equal opportunity employer.

Please apply via the form at https://www.ecohealthalliance.org/quantitative-ecology-research-scientist. You will be asked to upload a cover letter and a resume or CV as a single PDF document with a filename of the format “FirstName_LastName.pdf”. Please limit the letter and resume to no more than two pages in length each. Applications will receive an automated message of receipt. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in EcoHealth Alliance!