Postdoctoral Associate in Public Health

Cornell University

Position Title: Postdoctoral Associate
Laboratory: Dr. Raina Plowright's Laboratory
Department: Public and Ecosystem Health
College: College of Veterinary Medicine
Institution: Cornell University
Location: Ithaca, NY

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Position Description

This position is funded off our 2022 NSF grant “Converging on the rules of emergence for preventing land-use-induced spillover,” and internal Cornell seed grants. This position requires strong interests in system dynamics approaches to understanding drivers and causes of disease emergence, and deep interest in understanding zoonotic systems from the ecological, epidemiological, and biological mechanisms driving spillover to understanding distal anthropogenic drivers such as land use change and climate variation. Successful applicants will have a PhD in systems science, systems biology, infectious disease ecology, epidemiology, or similar fields.

This postdoc position will focus on advancing research into interactions among environmental, ecological, sociological, and economic drivers of land use decisions, and the effects of such decisions on pathogen shedding from bats and zoonotic contacts between bats and spillover hosts. Our lab will develop risk communication strategies needed to change human responses from reactive to proactive to disrupt the negative cascades of land use-induced spillover networks and prevent future spillover events.

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Responsibilities

• Leading system mapping for multiple zoonotic systems, including Hendra virus in Australia and Nipah virus in Bangladesh.
• Helping organize and participate in Participatory Model Building with local communities and experts.
• Developing at least one peer-reviewed manuscript comparing system dynamics across multiple zoonotic systems.

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Requirements

• PhD in systems science, systems biology, infectious disease ecology, epidemiology, or similar fields.
• Highly organized, curious, creative critical thinker, good communicator, and strong interdisciplinary skills spanning biology, ecology, One Health, computer science, and disease ecology.

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Salary and Benefits

• Salary Range: $62,232 – $75,000
• This position is eligible for benefits.
• Offers higher than the published salary range might be considered to meet unique circumstances, qualifications, academic discipline, and experience.

Postdocs from the Plowright lab have gone on to tenure-track positions in academia and research or policy positions in government.

Questions about the position may be directed to Emma Spence at es957@cornell.edu.

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Application Instructions

To apply, visit: Academic Jobs Online – Cornell and submit:

• Resume/CV
• Contact information for 3 references
• A paragraph on your unique experiences that would make you suitable for the position (can be formatted as a cover letter)

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Pay Range Considerations

The hiring rate will be determined considering:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level
• Academic discipline
• Unique applicable skills

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Employment Assistance

For general questions about the position or application process, contact the Recruiter listed in the posting or email: mycareer@cornell.edu

For accommodations related to disabilities, contact:

• Cornell Office of Civil Rights: (607) 255-2242
• Email: accommodations@cornell.edu

Applicants without internet access may use a library or request a dedicated workstation at the Ithaca campus via mycareer@cornell.edu.

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EEO Statement

Cornell University is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applicants from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups. Employment decisions will not be based on legally protected characteristics, and affirmative action is applied where applicable.