Pre-announcement
POSITION
Descriptive title: Population genetic and/or 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-12 ($87,491 + benefits)
Closing date: To be announced soon.

We are looking for a quantitative ecologist/evolutionary biologist to develop spatial models of gene drive systems (major focus) and disease transmission (minor focus). The position is located in Fort Collins, CO at the National Wildlife Research Center of USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services. The position will be interdisciplinary, involving frequent communication with research scientists in other disciplines, wildlife managers, and policy makers in biotechnology regulation.

DUTIES
• Develop spatial models of gene drive spread and disease transmission.
• Develop risk assessment frameworks for regulators and managers.
• Analyze ecological data to estimate parameters for models.
• Publish articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Give oral presentations at scientific conferences.
• Prepare high-level reports and oral presentation of results for managers, policy makers and regulators.
• Coordinate model 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 dynamics of genotype allele frequencies, disease, and/or individuals in populations.
• Writing statistical computer programs.
• Designing and performing computer simulations.
• Analyzing data using probability statistics and other appropriate techniques.
• Modifying established dynamic models to incorporate appropriate biological processes.
• Coding in a programming language (e.g., R, Matlab, C++, Python, or similar).
Must have:
• Strong expertise and demonstrated research competency in quantitative ecology, evolutionary biology, population genetics, disease ecology, and/or epidemiology.
• Strong knowledge of spatial processes in quantitative ecology and evolutionary biology.
• Ability to understand and address a variety of research needs and program priorities related to control of wildlife pests and/or disease management.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information both orally (at conferences, workshops, and meetings with stakeholders) and in writing (for peer-reviewed publications) to diverse audiences.
• Ability to effectively coordinate and promote program activities to stakeholders and external audiences.
ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience with risk assessment techniques.
• Experience in communicating with regulators or policy makers to develop decision support tools.
• Interest or experience with developing user-friendly applications for conducting quantitative risk assessments.
QUESTIONS
Send questions to kim.m.pepin@usda.gov; apply on USAJobs at: XXXX (to be available soon).