Think Beyond The Label Jobs

Position Summary

We seek a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Christensen Lab at Michigan State University to build integrated spatial models describing the social-ecological dynamics of chronic wasting disease (CWD) spread and mitigation. Models will incorporate both landowner willingness to participate in voluntary programs and the epidemiological dynamics of disease spread.  

Project Title: Connecting landowner access to wildlife management and disease outcomes.

Overview: We invite applications for a postdoctoral research associate position to join a dynamic research team in the Christensen Lab at Michigan State University, a research group with a strong focus on wildlife population ecology, disease ecology, and spatial modeling. The successful candidate will work on a project that aims to evaluate patterns of landowner access and implications for mitigating the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) among ungulates. This project's goal is to generate spatial models based on characteristics of landowners who are willing to allow private land access for wildlife management activities to explore potential mitigation strategies for CWD. We will then connect these spatial models to scenarios of CWD management and land access to understand the effectiveness of disease mitigation. This research project builds upon the lab's current data collection on attributes of landowner access and will be part of a multi-disciplinary collaboration with the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center, Boise State University, and Michigan State University.

The postdoctoral research associate will collaborate on research activities designed to produce results suitable for presentation in scientific journals, conferences, and for stakeholder interests. Expected deliverables include assisting or leading the completion of annual reports, submission of at least one scientific publication, and presentation of research findings at conferences. The Postdoctoral Research Associate is expected to work collaboratively with colleagues and project partners and communicate research findings to broad audiences. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Ph.D. in statistics, geography, wildlife ecology, biometrics or related field.

Minimum Requirements

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team. Expertise in spatial and statistical modeling (preferably at a landscape scale), working with remote sensing and census tract data, and expertise of software such as Program R, Python, and other GIS platforms. Ability to formulate hypotheses, conduct appropriate analyses independently and with appropriate scientific and statistical validity, and interpret data sufficient to draw defensible inferences and conclusions. Experience publishing statistical, ecological, geographical, and/or disease research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Ability to work effectively and courteously with a multi-disciplinary team.

Desired Qualifications

Competitive candidates will have experience developing and using statistical and/or spatial models for wildlife ecology and disease systems (specific to private lands or CWD a plus), experience with Bayesian modeling, resource selection functions (RSFs), simulation, and experience in human geography. Strong oral and written communication skills for diverse audiences are desired, including biologists, scientists, policymakers, and the public. Demonstration of completed research results, experience collaborating with state wildlife management