Post Doc fellowship in Disease Ecology

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The Department of Biology and Environmental Science is part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.  The research activities within this multidisciplinary department include the areas of aquatic ecology, cell and organism biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, environmental science and environmental engineering as well as zoonotic ecology.

Project title
Ecology and epidemiology of influenza A virus in waterfowl

The research project
The influenza A virus is a multihost pathogen with zoonotic potential, but most subtypes and genotypes are associated with wild birds, in particular dabbling ducks of the genus Anas. Since 2002, the Zoonotic Ecology and Epidemiology research group has worked broadly on host-pathogen interactions of this virus in a population of migratory Mallards in SE Sweden. Through systematic sampling for viruses we have built up a large collection of influenza A virus, and combined data on host and virus to build infection histories of the individual ducks. These data, together with targeted studies on movement ecology of Mallards, have enabled us to address disease ecology questions in this system. Currently, we seek to strengthen our research team with one or two Post Doctoral student(s) interested in disease ecology of IAV in a broad sense. The interested student should have research interests and prior experiences that align with the currently ongoing research, but could be focused either on evolutionary aspects of the virus (phylogenetics and evolution, or functional aspects of virus), or the consequences of the host of infection (either in terms of ecological costs, epidemiological modelling, or disease in a movement ecology perspective).

Qualification requirements
Qualified for this position is the one who holds a PhD, or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD, in either virology, veterinary medicine, ecology, molecular biology or similar and has completed his/hers degree no more than three years before the application deadline.
Furthermore the applicant needs a strong record of disease ecology research.

Applicants must not have previously been employed as a postdoctoral fellow for more than a year in the same or related subject area at Linnaeus University.

Other assessment grounds that would place the candidate at an advantage
Include apresentation of documented evidence of disease ecology research, preferably on influenza A virus, a high proficiency in written and spoken English, the ability to solve problems and to work independently as well as interact well in a research group.

Terms of employment
The position will be full time for 2 years. The proposed starting date is from the 1st of January 2017, but can be negotiated.

Location
Kalmar, Sweden

For further information
Please contact Professor Jonas Waldenström (jonas.waldenstrom@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-446195; Head of Department Per-Eric Betzholtz (per-eric.betzholtz@lnu.se), +46-(0)480-446238; or Human resources consultant Christian Andersson (christian.andersson@lnu.se), +46-(0)470-708506. Union representatives may be contacted via the university switchboard at +46-772-288000.

Please apply throughlnu.se, and go to “jobs and vacancies”. The application has to be registered no later than December 9th, 2016. Mark your application with reference number 2016/6267-2.2.1 The application (in English) should contain a CV (with telephone and e-mail), documentation of exams and grades, a description of motivation and experiences relevant to the research project and any other documentation that the applicant would like to present. Candidates are requested to submit a short research proposal that shows how the experience of the candidate can be applied on the research conducted at the Zoonotic Ecology and Epidemiology research group. If short listed, names and contact addresses to at least two referees are required.

 

 


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Please apply by clicking on the "Apply" button at the bottom of the ad. The credentials you invoke must be verified with certification and they must be attached digitally in your application. The application and other documents to be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 on the closing day.