The Department of Botany and Plant Pathology invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position in the research program of Chris Mundt. The faculty research assistant will be a contributing member of a multi-investigator project using empirical data and modeling approaches to study effects of fundamental epidemiological parameters (e.g., basic reproduction number, initial disease prevalence, and host density) and common control tactics (e.g, reactive ring culling, reactive ring vaccination or chemotherapeutic applications, timing and extent of reactive ring treatments, and broad-scale population protection) on the spread of plant and animal diseases caused by pathogens demonstrating long-distance dispersal.
Position Duties: The incumbent will support the principal investigator and two postdoctoral scholars. One postdoc is responsible for developing generalized theory and models to predict “rules-of-thumb” for the control of diseases caused by pathogens with long-distance dispersal. The other postdoc focuses on simulation and experimental studies of wheat stripe rust addressing similar issues. In addition to computational work, the position will involve a small amount of work in the laboratory, greenhouse, controlled environment chambers, and agricultural fields in both the Willamette Valley and in eastern Oregon. Experiments may occasionally require work hours other than standard. A very small number of overnight trips to eastern Oregon may be occasionally required.
Specific duties include running and analyzing computer simulations of disease spread; contributing to scientific publications, including production of graphics and contributions to scientific writing; searching and summarization of relevant literature; assisting in experimental field studies of wheat stripe rust; and organization of project meetings.
Minimum/Required Qualifications: B.S. in a biological science, mathematics, statistics, or computer science. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively in collaborative projects.
Preferred Qualifications: M.S. in ecology, epidemiology, or a related field; familiarity or experience in modeling of biological systems; expertise in computer programming and statistical analysis.
Closing Date : March 8, 2019
Apply via Oregon State University website: http://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/71679
For further information, contact Chris Mundt: mundtc@science.oregonstate.edu
