Mississippi State University, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture

Position ID: WFAQuEST-PDA [#16182]
Position Title: Post-Doctoral Associate
Position Type: Postdoctoral
Position Location: Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States [map] sort by distance
Subject Areas: Biomathematics/Biostatistics
Application Deadline: finished (2021/05/25, finished 2022/03/05)
Position Description:    

*** this position has been closed. ***

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Recent advancements in remote sensing and biotelemetry technologies have enabled collection of unprecedented amounts of high-resolution spatiotemporal data for both animals and their associated landscapes. These data have in turn enabled new understanding of the links between species and their environments; however, application of common mathematical and statistical tools to these data for understanding animal ecology and biogeography can be limited by computational resources and efficiency due to the size of associated datasets. In light of this, the Mississippi State University Quantitative Ecology & Spatial Technologies (QuEST) Laboratory and the Geosystems Research Institute (GRI), in collaboration with the School of Mathematics and Statistics at University of Sheffield, UK, and the Centre for Biomathematics at Swansea University, UK, seek to develop novel mathematical and statistical tools for describing spatial phenomena using high-resolution remote sensing and biotelemetry datasets, coupled to applications in high-performance computing to facilitate rapid data analysis. 

SUMMARY OF POSITION
This position is through the Mississippi State University QuEST Laboratory and the GRI. The successful candidate will be primary advised by Dr. Garrett M. Street (Mississipi State University), Dr. Jonathan Potts (Sheffield University), and Dr. Luca Börger (Swansea University). The Post-Doctoral Associate will work closely with co-investigators across all 4 programs to carry out the project. Specifically, the successful candidate for this position will collaborate with researchers at MSU, Sheffield, and Swansea to identify current gaps in mathematical or statistical tools for applications to the fields of animal movement and dispersal, spatial epidemiology, species distributions, and biological invasions, with particular attention to very-high resolution spatial datasets over broad extents and scales. The candidate will develop new quantitative tools to address identified gaps alongside applications of these tools within high-performance computing frameworks across multiple spatio-temporal scales. The candidate will also be required to publish 2 or more peer-reviewed publications from this work.   

In addition to project duties the candidate will be expected to take a leadership role in the QuEST lab, which includes but is not limited to mentorship of graduate and undergraduate researchers, involvement in lab research projects, coordination of lab meetings, and leadership on lab-generated publications. 

The 2-year term limited position will be funded from 1 July 2021 through 30 June 2022, with the possibility of extension pending additional extramural funding. The Post-Doctoral Associate will be based out of the QuEST Lab in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, and will be primarily employed by the GRI.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary will be $65,000 per year, including a full benefits package.

QUALIFICATIONS
The Postdoctoral Associate must hold a Ph.D. in quantitative ecology, statistics, mathematical biology, or another related field. The candidate must have a good background in statistical and/or mathematical ecology, together with strong computing skills.  Experience of modelling in the context of spatial ecology, animal movement, or biological invasions is also desirable, but not essential. The candidate must have good oral and written communication skills, be self-motivated, and be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a trans-disciplinary team. Finally, the candidate must currently possess right to work in the United States due to federal travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

APPLICATION
Applicants must apply through the MSU HRM website at: https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/en-us/job/500405/postdoctoral-associate

Applications must include: 1) cover letter, 2) resume or Curriculum Vitae, 3) one-page statement of interest and expertise, 4) contact information for three references, and 5) academic transcripts. Applicants should also email a copy of the cover letter and resume/CV directly to gms246@msstate.edu.

TIMELINE
Application review will begin March 1, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled.

ANTICIPATED START DATE
March 15, 2021, or later as negotiated

TRAVEL
This position may require/allow some travel to stakeholder meetings and to present research findings at regional and/or national conferences (approximately 2-4 overnight trips during the year).

STATEMENT ON COVID-19
The project leadership team acknowledges that many aspects of academic life and travel must be reconsidered during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to sensitivity toward applicant concerns regarding health and safety during the global pandemic and to creating a working environment that accommodates these concerns. For more information about COVID-19 and MSU’s official policy guidelines, please visit https://www.msstate.edu/coronavirus.

CONTACT
Applicants may contact Garrett M. Street [gms246@msstate.edu] with any questions prior to application submission.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.


We are not accepting applications for this job through MathJobs.Org right now. Please apply at https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/en-us/job/500405/postdoctoral-associate external link.
Contact: Garrett M. Street, 662-325-5801
Email: email address
Web Page: https://www.quest.fwrc.msstate.edu/