Biodefense Postdoctoral Opportunity in Veterinary Analytical Epidemiology – USDA - PIADC
A complete application consists of:
- An application
- A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
- Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Before the appointment can start, the selected candidate must provide proof of completion of the degree.
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
If you have questions, send an email to piadc@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.
The Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) Research Participation Program offers biodefense research opportunities to motivated students and postgraduates interested in developing novel strategies to control foreign animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever virus (ASFV). Positions are with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit (FADRU) at PIADC.
This postdoctoral opportunity will involve the epidemiologic analysis of data generated from field studies of FMD carried out in a variety of countries in Africa and Asia where the disease is endemic. The overarching objective of the research opportunity will be to characterize endemic FMDV ecology and the role of asymptomatic carriers as potential reservoirs. The participant will learn to apply analytic epidemiologic techniques to describe real-world infectious disease outbreaks. Training and mentorship will be provided to the participant in epidemiological study design, disease spread modeling, project management, and drafting of reports and publications on the subject matter.
PIADC is the only U.S. laboratory facility performing research, development and diagnosis of foreign animal diseases of highest threat to the U.S. This critical national asset is located off the northeast coast of Long Island, NY, and accessible by government-provided ferry from Orient Point, NY, and Old Saybrook, CT. Research at PIADC is performed on animal diseases that threaten the nation's animal industries and exports. One of the missions of FADRU is to investigate foreign animal diseases (FADs) in their endemic settings to help mitigate the risks of catastrophic economic losses caused by these pathogens in the event of accidental or deliberate introduction to the United States.
This program is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate.
For additional information about the PIADC Research Participation Program, please see http://www.orau.gov/piadc. For additional information about the postdoctoral opportunity in veterinary molecular epidemiology, please contact Dr. Jonathan Arzt at jonathan.arzt@ars.usda.gov.
Participant Benefits
Selected candidates will receive a stipend as support for their living and other expenses during this appointment. Candidates will also be eligible to receive a health insurance allowance and reimbursement for travel expenses.
Appointments are for one year. Appointments may be extended in increments of up to one year, contingent upon project needs and funding availability. The maximum length of time a participant can spend in the ORISE program is five years from the initial appointment start date.
Nature of the Appointment
Participants will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, USDA, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have or be completing a Ph.D. degree in epidemiology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, virology, genetics, or other discipline related to foreign animal diseases.
- Have or be eligible to obtain a security clearance.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, or be eligible for a J-1 visa, if a foreign national.
Preferred skills include experience with:
- Analytical epidemiology, including strong statistical skills
- Disease spread modeling and simulation
- Analysis of data from clinical and field studies
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