"Post Doctoral AD- Carver"

Job Details

Posting Number: G/R26117P

Working Title: Post Doctoral AD- Carver

Department: Ecology-Odum School of Ecology

About the University of Georgia: Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

Employment Type: Employee

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2024

Posting Date: 06/27/2024

Open Until Filled: Yes

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Design and conduct research on infectious disease management (70% of time)
• Write scholarly articles and present research (20% of time)
• Assist with collaborative projects (10% of time)

Position Summary: A 2-year postdoctoral position focused on wildlife disease management is available in the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia. The research will focus on the practical application and modelling of sarcoptic mange control in wildlife. The goals of the research are to: (1) work with stakeholders engaged in on-ground disease management problems; (2) advance a modeling framework to enhance alignment with the types and nuances of management undertaken in situ; and (3) produce data-informed management guidelines for select host species impacted by sarcoptic mange. The ideal applicant for this position will have a strong appreciation for the realities of on-ground wildlife disease management, and with the creativity to think innovatively in this space. The applicant will listen to, understand the nuances, and work with stakeholders engaged in disease management attempts, as well as willingness to gain first-hand experience. The applicant will be competent with modeling, but does not have to be a modeler per se, as practical cross-disciplinary skills are equally important for this research. The work is focused on sarcoptic mange and broadly around ideas presented in the below perspective from the Journal of Applied Ecology. The fundamentals of a modelling framework already exist, and this project would build out from that to be widely translational across mange host species (at least several specific examples), and ultimately have potential application to systems with similar transmission modes. Carver, S., A. Peters and S. A. Richards (2022). “Model Integrated Disease Management to facilitate effective translatable solutions for wildlife disease issues.” Journal of Applied Ecology 59(12): 2902-2910.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification in Position: Ideally, the candidate will be proficient with coding (such as with R), have experience with mathematical and statistical modeling, have experience working with wildlife (e.g., surveying, handling, etc.) and some wildlife pathogens, and have an appreciation for management of wildlife or their pathogens.