POSITION
Descriptive title: Disease modeler
Official title: Biologist (computational)/mathematical statistician/Statistician (applied – biology)
Type: Full-time, 2-year term
Duty station: NWRC, Fort Collins
Announcement #: USDA-WS-NWRC-2WS035
Series: 0401/1529/1530
Grade: GS-11 ($72,995 annually + benefits)
Closing date: 03/09/2022 (to begin reviewing applications)

We are looking for a disease modeler to develop spatial models of African swine fever transmission in wild pigs and at the wild pig-domestic pig interface to identify optimal control strategies for stakeholders. The modeler will work with field biologists conducting ecological studies of the system. The position is located in Fort Collins, CO at the National Wildlife Research Center of USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services. The position will involve frequent communication with applied scientists, managers, and policy makers in multiple USDA agencies.

DUTIES
• Develop spatial models of disease transmission and algorithms for control optimization.
• Analyze GPS collar data and camera trap data from field studies of wild pigs.
• Estimate epidemiological parameters from field data.
• Publish articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Give oral presentations at scientific conferences.
• Prepare high-level reports and oral presentation of results for policy makers and funders.
• Coordinate data collation, analysis, and reporting among research and stakeholder partners.

REQUIREMENTS
Must be a USA citizen.
Must be proficient at:
• Applying modeling techniques and procedures.
• Developing algorithms to predict disease transmission dynamics.
• Analyzing data using probability statistics and other appropriate techniques.
• Designing and performing computer simulations.
• Generating de novo or modifying established modeling methods.
• Coding in a programming language (e.g., R, Matlab, C++, Python, or similar).
Must have:
• Strong expertise in quantitative ecology/disease ecology/epidemiology.
• Demonstrated research competency in the fields of applied statistics, computational biology, disease ecology, and/or spatial ecology.
• Ability to understand and address a variety of research needs and program priorities related to control of wildlife or livestock disease management.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate technical information both orally (at conferences, workshops, and meetings with stakeholders) and in writing (for peer-reviewed publications) at all levels and be able to communicate their meaning to diverse audiences.
• Ability to effectively coordinate and promote program activities to stakeholders and external audiences.
ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Proficiency with extracting and manipulating geographical information systems (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) data.
• Knowledge of control methodologies that are used for disease in wildlife species, livestock, and at the wildlife-livestock interface.
• Experience with implementing optimization techniques.

QUESTIONS and HOW TO APPLY
Send your cover letter and resume to kim.m.pepin@usda.gov, official announcement available soon.