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Research Associate in Wildlife Disease Ecology: Michigan

Michigan State University

Job Description


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Agency
Michigan State University
Location
East Lansing, Michigan
Job Category
Post Doctoral Appointments
Salary
Commensurate with experience
Start Date
04/01/2023
Last Date to Apply
02/17/2023
Website
https://careers.msu.edu/cw/en-us/job/513045/research-associatefixed-term#.Y84fWH2tYZI.link
Description
DUTIES The successful candidate will work with scientists at Michigan State University in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Genetics. Drs. Jean Tsao, Dr. Henry (Rique) Campa III, and Edward (Ned) Walker. Drs. Tsao and Walker work on the ecology, prevention, and management of arthropod vectors and their pathogens. Dr. Henry (Rique) Campa III works on wildlife habitat ecology and ecosystem management, with an emphasis on wildlife-habitat interactions and the effects of disturbance on species, populations, and communities. MSU scientists have been awarded funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Disease to carry out several projects to explore innovative methods to reduce tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. The primary project the post-doctoral scholar will lead lies at the nexus of disease ecology, wildlife-habitat interactions, host-targeted interventions for disease control, and the human dimensions of wildlife management. The post-doc will develop an innovative deer-targeted area-wide tick control method to reduce the risk of tick-borne disease. Specifically, the post-doc will adapt an approach that was initially developed to reduce bovine tuberculosis risk among deer in agricultural landscapes to reduce tick-borne disease risk in an urban-suburban landscape. The tick targeted in this study is the blacklegged tick, or the “deer tick,” which is responsible for the spread of Lyme disease (the leading vector-borne disease in North America) as well as several other reportable diseases that affect human and domestic animals. This approach, however, may be applied in the future to control other invasive tick vectors that frequently use deer such as the lone star tick, the Asian long-horned tick, and the Gulf Coast tick. To carry out this project, the post-doc will facilitate interactions among officials from multiple agencies, including those in the City of East Lansing, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, USDA- APHIS Wildlife Services, and the CDC as well as engage with public stakeholders. The successful candidate should be someone who is excited to conduct research to implement an ecological intervention to mitigate wildlife-human hazards in a realistic setting and engage with a diversity of stakeholders, which necessarily requires embracing research activities in both ecological and human dimensions realms. The postdoctoral scholar is expected to: 1) Characterize the use of several suburban/city parks by wildlife (deer and meso-mammals) using trail cameras across all seasons. 2) Develop, implement, and evaluate drug delivery unit protocols to wild deer. 3) Engage stakeholders to assess KAB of ticks and tick control and assess acceptance of various tick control approaches for public lands, and in particular, host-targeted methods. 4) Review and summarize deer-targeted wildlife disease management approaches, including, but not limited to reducing tick-borne disease. 5) Supervise technicians and help mentor graduate students. 6) Synthesize and communicate results in reports, presentations, and publications. 7) Assist in other MCE-related projects as appropriate. In addition to project collaborators, the post-doc will be able to reach out to many other resources with expertise in vectors, vector-control, wildlife, human dimensions, and various modes of analyses. To list a few, these include scientists at participating MCE-VBD institutions including University of Wisconsin (lead), University of Illinois, University of Notre Dame, and Purdue University. They also include scientists, epidemiologists, biologists, and managers in agencies such as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (including the Wildlife Disease Laboratory), and United States Department of Agriculture. Furthermore, in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, there are several labs that work in wildlife disease ecology (e.g., among deer, other mammals, birds, fish, and herpetofauna) and white-tailed deer ecology and management. Our group has strong linkages with the College of Veterinary Medicine and MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Depending on interests, career objectives, and time, the post-doc will also have the opportunity to participate in other MCE-VBD projects led by MSU, such as evaluating targeted methods for control of mosquitoes responsible for transmission of eastern equine encephalitis virus. Furthermore, the post-doc can participate in efforts to work with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, publicly funded mosquito control programs, and local health departments to improve public health capacity to detect invasive vectors; to refine current vector control practices; and to evaluate and improve messaging to promote adoption of personal protective measures to prevent exposure to vector-borne pathogens. Alternatively, the candidate may choose focus on research in deer and wildlife ecology and management. Thus, this project provides additional opportunities for scholarship in many different areas. In which direction(s) the successful candidate will pursue will be decided upon together with the investigators, depending on the candidate’s experience, interest, and resources available. Furthermore, the MSU researchers will work with the successful candidate to develop an individual development and mentoring plan and connect with MSU’s active Postdoc Association, the National Postdoc Association, and participate in postdoc professional development programs such as the NIH-funded Postdoc Academy (https://www.postdocacademy.org/). Established in 2017, the MCE-VBD (https://mcevbd.wisc.edu/) has the mission of preventing vector-borne disease in the Upper Midwest. The Center’s approach to this ambitious goal involves working with partners in public health and vector control to understand the knowledge gaps and challenges associated with vector-borne disease, conducting rigorous assessment of new and existing vector management approaches, and providing real-world research experiences to a next generation of public health entomologists. The project that the post-doc will lead exemplifies an innovative and ambitious approach to reduce tick-borne disease, which thus far is increasing relentlessly and for which we have limited control measures.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. Ph.D. degree by the start date of the position in a pertinent biological field. 2. Strong record of productivity and publication. 3. Demonstrated abilities to work independently and on a collaborative, diverse team. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS 1. Experience with conducting wildlife field studies, including those regarding wildlife-habitat interactions and animal movement. 2. Experience or desire to work on questions regarding vector-borne, wildlife, and/or zoonotic disease ecology and management. 3. Experience working on applied ecological problems. 4. Experience engaging with stakeholders and conducting human dimensions research. 5. Experience working in collaborative research settings. 6. Experience managing field crews and mentoring undergraduates. 7. Experience in spatial disease modeling; particularly in assessing effects of control measures on spatial disease transmission. 8. Experience with deploying and analyzing data from wildlife surveillance cameras. 9. Experience extracting and manipulating GIS and GPS data. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applicants should create a single document (Word or pdf) that includes a letter of interest that highlights the desired attributes specified in the job description, CV/resume, unofficial transcripts, and a list of three references and their contact information. The name of the file should contain the last and first name of the applicant (e.g., Doe.Jane.pdf). The letter of interest should include a statement of the applicant's areas of interest regarding wildlife-targeted control of vector-borne disease and/or on vector-borne disease ecology and control, including the applicant's perception of the most important research questions in these disciplines, the connections between these areas of research and the applicant’s prior work, and an account of the applicant’s skills in wildlife studies, statistics/modeling, human dimensions, and other pertinent areas. Although Dr. Tsao is the contact listed for this position, given the interdisciplinary nature of this position, please feel free to contact either Dr. Tsao (tsao@msu.edu) or Dr. Campa (campa@msu.edu) for more information. Please include “Deer-targeted tick control Postdoc” in the subject line. We look forward to your inquiries! MSU Statement: Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges. Department Statement: The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/) was established in 1950 with faculty drawn from several different units. Since that time, both the faculty and the issues of importance in fisheries and wildlife have changed significantly. Our Mission, Vision, and Values build on our core strengths and prepare us for continuing change in societal needs, scientific understanding, and educational priorities. We believe a diverse, inclusive working and learning environment enriches the department and fosters innovation in teaching, research, and engagement with partners and the public. We expect all members of the department to uphold the highest ethical standards in our work and personal conduct, with shared responsibility and accountability. We act in keeping with our values, mission, and vision.
Contact Person
Jean Tsao
Contact eMail
tsao@msu.edu

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