Postdoctoral Associate in Planetary Health

Posting Summary

The University of Vermont (UVM) is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to join a multidisciplinary team aimed at understanding the distribution of ticks and their pathogens across the Vermont landscape within the newly established Planetary Health Initiative at UVM. This project will investigate the prevalence and distribution of tick-borne pathogens across Vermont's forested, agricultural, and recreational areas, including the environmental and ecological drivers of tick and pathogen prevalence, and the potential human-wildlife interaction hotspots for elevated disease risk. This project combines elements of ecology, disease pathology, environmental factors, human behavior, land use and recreation to assess the risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis. In addition to peer-reviewed publications and presentations to UVM and broader Vermont and scientific communities, this project aims to deliver actionable recommendations for public health, recreation use, habitat and ecosystem management in relation to tick-borne disease in Vermont and beyond.

This position offers a unique opportunity to conduct impactful research in Planetary Health at the intersection of ecology, public health, and land management, with the potential to influence tick-borne disease mitigation strategies in Vermont and beyond and to guide future tick-borne pathogen research in the state.

Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

• Ph.D. in ecology, disease ecology, wildlife biology, or a related field by the start date of the position.
• Strong background in field-based ecology and ecological modeling.
• Experience in molecular techniques for pathogen detection, particularly PCR-based methods.
• Familiarity with spatial analysis and modeling techniques (e.g., GIS, spatial statistics, population modeling).
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to successfully mentor undergraduates in the field and lab.
• Ability to work in the field in inclement weather and to manage difficult terrain and habitat conditions.
• Demonstrated interest in applying ecological research to inform public health and land management practices.