The members of the national SARS-CoV-2/cervid Targeted Surveillance Team are seeking a post-doctoral researcher over the next several months to join our collaboration. The Team’s overarching objective is to uncover the ecological conditions that generate spatial hotspots of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and persistence in free-ranging wildlife. We are particularly excited about recruiting an individual with strong interests in interdisciplinary disease ecology and specific skills in spatial ecology, epidemiological modelling, and GIS. This new team member will lead development of methods for estimating human visitation and human-deer interaction intensity in different land cover types and develop computational and statistical models for explaining epidemiological dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 at the wildlife-human interface. The work will be in collaboration with a broader team collecting SARS-CoV-2 surveillance data in wildlife.

The full-time position is located at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities Campus) in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. At the University of Minnesota, you will find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritise work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work. The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package. This is a limited-term position funded for up to 2 years from date of hire pending performance. Start date is flexible, but spring 2024 is preferable.

The postdoctoral fellow will collaborate closely with USDA, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center.

Salary: $62,000/year plus benefits.

Closing date: Until position filled

Qualifications: Competitive candidates should be highly motivated and possess a PhD in disease ecology or epidemiology or a related discipline with a strong quantitative emphasis. The selected candidate must provide evidence all requirements have been met for the completion of the PhD prior to the effective date of hire. Specific experience with Program R and methods in advanced spatial ecology/statistics is required. Other preferred skills include managing big data, statistical inference, network science, geography, human mobility data, and/or machine learning. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment is essential. Please provide: (1) a cover letter detailing your experiences for the qualifications above and how they have prepared you for this position, (2) a CV, (3) names and contact information of three professional references, and (4) two relevant publications. Please submit these materials to Dr. Meggan Craft (craft@umn.edu) as a single pdf. Applicants will need to also submit the same application materials to University of Minnesota’s employment website by: 1) visiting https://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs, 2) “Apply for a job today” then choosing the option that corresponds to the applicant’s situation/status, and 3) searching for Job ID 358672.