USGS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Pathogenic Avian Influenza Wild Bird Ecology, Modeling

Description

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eastern Ecological Science Center is seeking a fellow to conduct research on wildlife disease, focusing on the role of wild waterfowl in the spread and persistence of avian influenza viruses. The fellowship is primarily office based but may include field research opportunities.

• Apply disease ecology principles to understand the role of wild waterfowl in the spread and persistence of avian influenza viruses.
• Integrate ecology, mathematics, statistics, and decision analysis to address wildlife disease management questions.
• Design and conduct quantitative analyses related to wild bird ecology and disease transmission dynamics.
• Evaluate the potential impacts of disease mitigation strategies, such as carcass removal, across species and disease systems.
• Develop multi‑species sampling designs and assess factors such as population immunity on disease spread.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams on experimental design and analytical method selection.
• Learn about additional wildlife disease systems, including Chronic Wasting Disease.
• Participate in field research activities related to wildlife disease studies, as opportunities arise.

Candidate must be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resources, GIS, Statistics, or a related field. The degree must have been received within the past five years or be anticipated to be received by July 1 2026.

• Highly motivated, independent and a strong track record of published research.
• Experience with frequentist and Bayesian methods and proficiency with a wide breadth of analytical methods for ecological analyses.
• Experience or interest in decision analysis approaches.
• Knowledge of R, GIS platforms, spatial disease modeling, or movement ecology.
• Willingness to participate in projects beyond those listed.

Start date:

July 1 2026 (flexible). Appointment length: one year, renewable subject to funding. Full‑time position.

Annual stipend: $65,000.00.

Diann Prosser (dprosser).

• U.S. citizen only.
• Doctoral degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by July 1 2026.