Postdoctoral Research Associate
Population, Climate, and Disease Modeling
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) investigates and documents the biological resources of Illinois and other areas and acquires and provides natural history information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources. INHS is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.
Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute?
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The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.
Description
The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to collaborate on a project developing predictive models of avian disease in the Laurentian Great Lakes. This position will be based out of Champaign, Illinois.
Duties Include
- Collaboratively develop and implement modeling approaches to answer questions surrounding population processes, with a particular emphasis on how ecological and environmental covariates may be impacting the incidence and severity of avian disease in the Great Lakes basin.
- Lead the accessioning, aggregation, processing, and databasing of environmental, population, and other data to feed into predictive modeling efforts.
- Coordinate and collaborate with state, federal, tribal, and non-governmental agency partners to develop habitat management strategies to mitigate (to the extent possible) the impacts of avian disease on bird populations in the Great Lakes basin.
- Analyze data and write manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Disseminate research findings to management agencies, the scientific community, and public through presentations at professional meetings, written reports, and public outreach activities
- Keep abreast of developments in this discipline
- Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, and the University of Illinois
Required Qualifications
- D. (within the last 10 years or by the start date) in Ecology, Epidemiology, Wildlife Biology, Statistics, or related field. Alternate degree fields may be considered depending on the nature and depth of experience as it relates to this position.
- Demonstrated extensive experience with a range of analytical and simulation modeling approaches.
- Flexible thinking, analytical ability, and organizational skills are required.
- Strong written and oral communication ability.
- Demonstrated success in publishing research in peer-reviewed outlets.
- Experience in applying for external funding (commensurate with experience)
- Proficiency in programming in R and Java are preferred.
- Applicants should have a drive to explore and apply.
Salary and Appointment
The position is available for one year initially, with the possibility of extension depending on funding and programmatic need. Salary is $60,000, plus benefits.
To apply, please e-mail 1) cover letter that clearly articulates how your qualifications and experience make you a viable candidate for this position and should address the qualifications listed above, 2) a CV, and 3) the names and contact information (including e-mail addresses) of three professional references to Dr. Mark Davis, davis63@illinois.edu.
For hiring questions, please contact Amber Hall, HR Business Partner at amberh@illinios.edu.
University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Convictions are not a bar to employment. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
