Post-Doctoral Associate

About the Job

The Kinsley Lab in the Veterinary Population Medicine Department is hiring a Postdoctoral Associate for a 75% appointment, to conduct quantitative research on wildlife pathogen surveillance and aquatic invasive species modeling within the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine. The position involves wildlife disease surveillance and preparedness planning using multiple modeling approaches. The successful candidate will develop and implement statistical and machine-learning models, integrate multi-source ecological datasets, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications and management-relevant decision tools under faculty mentorship. This role emphasizes methodological development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and progression toward research independence.

Responsibilities:

45%- Develop Species Distribution Models for Invasive Mystery Snails

• Develop and implement species distribution models (SDMs) for Cipangopaludina chinensis and Viviparus georgianus
• Integrate robot-collected density and distribution data with occurrence records from EDDMapS and the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database
• Incorporate environmental predictors from WorldClim and state lake-level datasets
• Apply machine-learning approaches including Random Forest and MaxEnt to estimate habitat suitability and relative occurrence rates

35% Refine and Expand Amphibian Pathogen Surveillance and Risk Models

• Manage surveillance partners associated with the Minnesota Student Network for Amphibian Pathogen Surveillance (MN SNAPS)
• Incorporate surveillance detections and non-detections into refined Bsal risk models
• Contribute to development of multi-criteria risk models that integrate conservation and management priorities
• Translate model outputs into formats suitable for agency planning and preparedness efforts

10% Publish and Disseminate Research Findings

• Lead and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Prepare technical reports and contribute to grant progress reports
• Present findings at scientific and stakeholder meetings

10% Collaborate and Support Research Team Activities

• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings with faculty, agency partners, and collaborators
• Contribute to proposal development and future research planning
• Provide technical guidance to graduate or undergraduate trainees as appropriate

Location and Work Environment:

This position is based on the St. Paul campus and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, with regular on-campus presence expected for meetings and collaborative activities.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time, Monday–Friday position during standard business hours. Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or participate in partner meetings

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in ecology, epidemiology, veterinary population medicine, quantitative biology, environmental science, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience developing statistical or machine-learning models using R or similar programming languages
• Experience working with ecological, surveillance, or species occurrence datasets
• Record of peer-reviewed publication
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate across interdisciplinary teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with species distribution modeling (e.g., Random Forest, MaxEnt, occupancy modeling)
• Experience integrating multi-source ecological datasets
• Familiarity with wildlife disease systems or aquatic invasive species
• Experience contributing to structured decision-making or risk assessment frameworks
• Experience collaborating with state or federal natural resource agencies

Pay and Benefits

Pay Rate: $62,232 annually

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.