Position Summary
We seek a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Christensen Lab at Michigan State University to build integrated spatial models describing the social-ecological dynamics of chronic wasting disease (CWD) spread and mitigation. Models will incorporate both landowner willingness to participate in voluntary programs and the epidemiological dynamics of disease spread.
Project Title: Connecting landowner access to wildlife management and disease outcomes.
Overview: We invite applications for a postdoctoral research associate position to join a dynamic research team in the Christensen Lab at Michigan State University, a research group with a strong focus on wildlife population ecology, disease ecology, and spatial modeling. The successful candidate will work on a project that aims to evaluate patterns of landowner access and implications for mitigating the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) among ungulates. This project's goal is to generate spatial models based on characteristics of landowners who are willing to allow private land access for wildlife management activities to explore potential mitigation strategies for CWD. We will then connect these spatial models to scenarios of CWD management and land access to understand the effectiveness of disease mitigation. This research project builds upon the lab's current data collection on attributes of landowner access and will be part of a multi-disciplinary collaboration with the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center, Boise State University, and Michigan State University.
The postdoctoral research associate will collaborate on research activities designed to produce results suitable for presentation in scientific journals, conferences, and for stakeholder interests. Expected deliverables include assisting or leading the completion of annual reports, submission of at least one scientific publication, and presentation of research findings at conferences. The Postdoctoral Research Associate is expected to work collaboratively with colleagues and project partners and communicate research findings to broad audiences.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Ph.D. in statistics, geography, wildlife ecology, biometrics or related field.
Minimum Requirements
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team. Expertise in spatial and statistical modeling (preferably at a landscape scale), working with remote sensing and census tract data, and expertise of software such as Program R, Python, and other GIS platforms. Ability to formulate hypotheses, conduct appropriate analyses independently and with appropriate scientific and statistical validity, and interpret data sufficient to draw defensible inferences and conclusions. Experience publishing statistical, ecological, geographical, and/or disease research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Ability to work effectively and courteously with a multi-disciplinary team.
Desired Qualifications
Competitive candidates will have experience developing and using statistical and/or spatial models for wildlife ecology and disease systems (specific to private lands or CWD a plus), experience with Bayesian modeling, resource selection functions (RSFs), simulation, and experience in human geography. Strong oral and written communication skills for diverse audiences are desired, including biologists, scientists, policymakers, and the public. Demonstration of completed research results, experience collaborating with state wildlife management agencies, ability to summarize and analyze spatially explicit data using R and ArcGIS, experience establishing productive collaborations with other researchers, research background in population or disease ecology, and a publication record commensurate with time since degree completion are preferred.
Required Application Materials
All applicants must apply via MSU HR PAGE. Please submit your CV, a letter of research interests and goals, a list of three references, and academic transcripts for all terminal degrees.
Special Instructions
The review of applications will begin on September 26th, and the position will remain open until it is filled. We will keep the position open as long as needed for a robust candidate pool. For more information about the position, contact Dr. Sonja Christensen (chris625@msu.edu). Search committee will further include Dr. Nathan Snow (nathan.p.snow@usda.gov), Dr. Matt Williamson (mattwilliamson@boisestate.edu, www.spaseslab.com), and Dr. David Ortega (dlortega@msu.edu).
This position includes a competitive salary and benefits package for two years (base salary is $60,000 annually; benefits include health insurance and retirement contributions). Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and resources at Michigan State University and with the Christensen Lab. Opportunities for professional development and networking. Engagement in impactful research aimed at informing wildlife disease management.
Review of Applications Begins On
09/26/2024
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Website
www.christensen-lab.org
Department Statement
Join the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and The Christensen Lab and contribute to critical research addressing the challenges of disease and its impact on ungulate populations. We look forward to welcoming a dedicated postdoctoral research associate to our project and our dynamic research group. For more information about our lab, please visit our website: www.christensen-lab.org. Our lab encourages professional development, and the successful candidate will have opportunities to build their professional network and engage with research partners. Specifically, our collaborators on this project are Dr. Matt Williamson, PI of the SPASES lab at Boise State University (www.spaseslab.com), and Dr. Nathan Snow at the USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/nwrc).
The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is a vibrant community of scholars comprising of 40 core faculty (tenure stream and fixed-term faculty, and academic specialists), 80 graduate and 240 undergraduate students, and 30 research associates. Our Mission is to build local, national, and international capacities to conserve ecosystems that support fish, wildlife, and society through integrated programs in research, education and engagement. We are committed to the integrative nature of natural resources conservation and management, with our expertise ranging from disciplinary areas with a long-standing history in the domain of fisheries and wildlife to those emerging more recently. For more information about the Department, please visit our website: https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
