* Please NOTE: the deadline for this position has been extended to January 18th, 2019.
Ph.D. Assistantship in Wildlife Disease Genomics A graduate student position is available in the Kamath Lab (https://kamathlab.weebly.com/) at the University of Maine, starting in 2019 (Summer or Fall semester). The student will join a NSF-funded project on the evolution and transmission of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, in collaboration with Drs. Wendy Turner at the University at Albany (www.wendyturner.org) and Henriette van Heerden at the University of Pretoria (https://www.up.ac.za/veterinary-tropical-diseases/article/1945572/h-van-heerden). The Ph.D. research project will focus on host-pathogen evolutionary dynamics and the genetic basis for heterogeneity in susceptibility to the B. anthracis bacteria in ungulate hosts of Etosha National Park, Namibia, and Kruger National Park, South Africa. This position will involve interdisciplinary research with strong field, laboratory and analytical components. Data collection will require international fieldwork. The graduate student will also have the unique opportunity to be part of the interdisciplinary Center for One Health & the Environment (https://sbe.umaine.edu/school/center-for-one-health-the-environment/). Location: University of Maine, Orono, ME Salary: The student will be supported by a combination of research and teaching assistantships, which include a 12-month stipend ($21,333), tuition waiver, and 50% health insurance coverage. Qualifications: Required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, evolution, epidemiology, microbiology, immunology, genetics, bioinformatics, or a related field. Candidates should have relevant research experience, be highly motivated, and have a demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team. Preferred qualifications: Master’s degree in ecology, evolution, or a related field. Desired candidates will be accomplished in writing, statistics, molecular methods, population/ phylogenetic analyses, genomics, bioinformatics, and/or field skills. To Apply/Questions: Interested qualified applicants should send a cover letter, current CV, unofficial transcripts, a publication or writing sample, and the names and contact information for three references to Dr. Pauline Kamath at pauline.kam...@maine.edu. The cover letter should describe interest in the project and in graduate study, relevant coursework, research experience, and other qualifications. Letters of reference may be requested for finalists. Review of applications will begin on December 20th and will continue until the position is filled.
