Wake Forest University Looking for Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Biology Full Time

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Job Description Summary

Job Description

Postdoctoral Position: Infectious disease modeling and movement behavior at WFU:
The Kortessis Lab at Wake Forest University in the Department of Biology is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join an NSF-funded project aimed at understanding how the perception of disease risk influences the temporal and spatial dynamics of infectious disease.

The postdoctoral researcher will develop theory and mathematical models to address this aim, while working in partnership with a larger collaborative group that includes members at Virginia Tech and the University of Florida. The group spans expertise in biology, ecology, mathematics, statistics, and public health. Primary responsibilities will be to develop and analyze models of behavior (with an emphasis on movement) and how behavior influences the spread of infectious disease and to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. The position also offers opportunities to develop and fit statistical models to human survey data to explore the drivers of disease spread. Successful researchers will have the opportunity to pursue independent projects related to their interests that are conceptually related to issues of behavior, risk perception, environmental heterogeneity, and population and community dynamics.

Ideal candidates may have training in (but are not limited to) ecological modeling, infectious disease modeling, the mathematical analysis of dynamical systems, spatial distribution modeling, or statistical analysis of population dynamics datasets. All candidates must be curious, enthusiastic about working in a team, and excited about tackling challenging problems.

The Kortessis lab works on understanding the causes and consequences of spatio-temporal heterogeneity on ecological dynamics. Applicants with expertise and interest in these topics but do not have expertise in human infectious disease are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and analyze mathematical models of infectious disease and host behavior.
• Disseminate finding and results from models in peer-reviewed journals.

Other Functions:

Workers in the position will also present results at regional and national meetings, interact with graduate students, and may fit and interpret statistical models.

More information about research in the lab can be found at nickkortessis.weebly.com.

Additional Job Description

Position Details
Start dates are flexible. This is a 1-year appointment with the ability to extend to 3 years total, pending satisfactory performance. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC in the southern piedmont, a highland plateau separating the coastal plaine from the Blue Ridge Mountains, and so is situated in a dynamic environmental landscape with easy access to a diversity of ecosystems found in the Southeastern United States. Winston-Salem is known as the “City of Arts and Innovation” with many art galleries, theatres, and museums, and a vibrant downtown atmosphere.

Application Process
Application review will begin on November 6th , 2023, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is found. Interested candidates should submit:
1) A 1-2 page cover letter describing their interest in the position, their relevant skills and expertise, and their general research interests.
2) A CV
3) Copies of reprints/preprints

4) Names and contact information for two letters of reference

Questions about the position, Wake Forest University, or the application process can be sent to [email protected].

Time Type Requirement
Full time
Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply.