Post-Doctoral Research position in the Spatial Ecology of Wildlife Diseases
Description We seek an outstanding post-doctoral researcher for a 2-yr project starting July 1, 2019, renewable for a second year based on first year performance, to advance the understanding of meningeal worm (*Parelaphostrongylus tenuis*) transmission between deer and moose. The Minnesota moose population has experienced drastic declines in recent years and *P. tenuis* transmission from deer plays a large role. This project will apply a variety of spatial analytical methods to examine habitat overlap of deer and moose in Minnesota in association with *P. tenuis *transmission. The successful applicant will 1) quantify spatial overlap by deer, predators, and moose across their distributions, 2) characterize landscape and climatic features associated with deer and moose abundance, and 3) create a map of brainworm transmission risk across moose range. Based on mutual interest there may be additional opportunities for field-based sampling and wildlife handling projects. The data sets available include GPS collaring data from deer, moose, wolves, calving locations, and predations as well as land-use, vegetation, and other remote sensing data. Qualifications Academic requirements include a PhD in wildlife, ecology, or related field. Applicants must have prior experience in spatial statistics, ecological niche modeling, remote sensing, and biogeography; a strong work ethic; excellent quantitative and oral and written communication skills, high attention to detail; the ability to work independently and with a multidisciplinary team of researchers; and be willing to mentor graduate students. Preference will be given to candidates who have published research related to movement ecology, disease ecology, or epidemiology. Post-doctoral training will be conducted within the Veterinary Medicine graduate program <https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/education-training/ms-and-phd-programs/ms-and-phd-veterinary-medicine>, but will involve close collaboration/mentorship from faculty in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (Dr. James Forester), UMN as well as Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech (Dr. Luis Escobar). To apply, a formal application package must be submitted to Tiffany Wolf and includes 1) a cover letter that highlights experiences and interest in disease ecology and epidemiology, 2) your curriculum vitae, 3) your unofficial transcripts, and 4) name and contact information for 3 references. Application review will begin February 15, 2019, but applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. Please contact Dr. Tiffany Wolf at wolfx...@umn.edu for additional questions regarding this opportunity. The University of Minnesota Difference · Our diverse community of scientists and mentors is drawn from colleges of veterinary medicine, agriculture, biological sciences, public health, and human medicine. This unique collection of expertise on one campus increases your opportunity to discover scientific breakthroughs. · Our campus’ urban setting provides easy access to arts and culture, professional and Big Ten sports, multicultural neighborhoods and events, and restaurants, including 20 different craft beer taprooms. And yet we are just minutes from open fields, boating, golf courses, skiing, and nature sanctuaries. *Tiffany Wolf, DVM, PhD* *Assistant Professor* *Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine* *University of Minnesota* *wolfx...@umn.edu* <wolfx...@umn.edu> *612-625-0492 (office)* *"We don’t inherit the earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children." ~Chief Seattle*
