Postdoctoral Research in Disease Ecology and Theoretical Ecology
The department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida seeks a postdoctoral researcher to work on theoretical models of disease transmission in wildlife for multi-host pathogens, with an emphasis on SARS-CoV-2. The postdoctoral researcher would join the lab of Dr. Andrew Kramer and work closely with a collaborative team including the lab of Dr. Barbara Han at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem studies, Dr. Michael Letko at WSU, and AI scientists at IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. The candidate should have a background in ecological modeling, such as dynamical modeling of infectious diseases or theoretical modeling of ecological communities. The project objective is to develop models that explicitly include predator-prey and interspecific contact patterns at multiple trophic levels in the pathogen transmission process in order to determine how communities with different structures and species with different susceptibilities alter pathogen prevalence and persistence. The successful candidate will develop and implement novel theoretical models that can be informed by predictions of species susceptibility to future variants of SARS-CoV-2 and linked to spatial dynamics of wildlife species. Writing and publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals is expected.
The position will be on-site at the University of South Florida in Tampa. USF is a diverse institution in a vibrant urban location. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the top tier of research universities (R1). In 2023, USF was invited to join Association of American Universities (AAU) and was rated as one of America’s greatest workplaces by Newsweek magazine.
Additional information about Dr. Kramer’s lab can be found at kramera3.github.io.
Minimum Qualifications: PhD in ecology or related discipline. The applicant should have experience with dynamical disease or population models, proficiency in scientific coding, and a record of peer-reviewed publication in academic journals.
Preferred Qualifications: Competitive candidates will have demonstrated experience with developing and studying compartmental models of disease; identifying and leveraging novel data sources; applying dynamical models to ecological/epidemiological questions, ideally for zoonotic pathogens; experience with and applying machine learning methods to ecological questions is preferred but not required.
Duration: This position is full time for one year, subject to renewal for up to 2 more years. The position includes a base salary of $70,000, plus benefits. Start date is negotiable.
Start date: December 1st or soon after.
Closing date: Open until filled, application review begins October 24th.
Originator: Dr. Andrew Kramer
To apply: Please complete an online application at USF Careers, Job ID 35282. Please be sure to include a cover letter, CV, and the names and addresses of 2 professional references. In addition to completing the online form, please copy your cover letter and CV in an email directly to Drew Kramer at amkramer@usf.edu with the email subject heading “Postdoc-EEID-2023”.
USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace. Underrepresented groups in STEM are strongly encouraged to apply.