AcademicJobsOnline.org

Postdoctoral Associate
Department of Entomology
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Ithaca, NY

College Description: 

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University’s second largest population of students, faculty and staff. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being.  CALS is fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, their environments and their communities both in New York state and around the world.

 Summary:

A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Courtney Murdock at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY, USA), for a highly motivated candidate to study how different environmental drivers impact host-pathogen interactions and transmission in the yellow fever mosquito vector (Aedes aegypti) – arbovirus system.

The research project will utilize data generated from experiments and mathematical models to understand the implications of life history trade-offs for arbovirus transmission and control. Transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens largely depends on both the density of mosquito vectors as well as the duration of time they are alive, biting, and infectious. Life history theory and evidence from a diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate systems indicate that competitive allocation of resources within an individual result in trade-offs across life history traits (e.g. survival and reproduction, immunity and reproduction, etc.) and seemingly sub-optimal expression of many phenotypes. Further, environmental variation in natural systems will define the nature and magnitude of these trade-offs. Yet, most predictive models that assess transmission dynamics or various control strategies are parameterized from entomological data collected under standard rearing conditions and do not account for physiological trade-offs across life history parameters. Thus, the existence and strength of these trade-offs will directly impact mosquito transmission via changes in mosquito immunity (altering host susceptibility, host infectiousness, and EIP), reproduction (vector biting and intrinsic population growth rates), and survival (number of opportunities to bite while infectious). Major outcomes of this project will include an improved conceptual framework for the environmental epidemiology of arbovirus transmission based on mosquito biology and life history theory and new modeling approaches that apply this knowledge to make predictions to inform control.

Job Description/Position Function:

Establishing an in vitro arbovirus cultures (dengue, wildtype chikungunya, Zika viruses) (10%)

The postdoctoral research will be expected to establish and maintain a steady production of arbovirus to support mosquito infection experiments outlined in the above research program. The Murdock lab has experience doing mosquito infection experiments with dengue, Zika, and attenuated chikungunya viruses.

Data collection, analysis and interpretation (55%)

The postdoctoral researcher will design, execute and interpret all experiments related to the project in collaboration with the lab PI and other lab members.

 Writing of scientific papers (10%)

The postdoctoral researcher is responsible to write the manuscripts for publication associated to the current project. In addition, the postdoc will contribute to writing of grants, publications and fellowships.

 Communication (5%)

The postdoctoral researcher will present results at scientific conferences. The postdoc will also actively seek collaborations and new ideas by attending talks and reading literature. The postdoc will help generate material for the lab website and for a lab-based blog about scientific discoveries. The postdoc will be responsible for writing protocols for the laboratory procedures used in this project.

 Supervision (5%)

The postdoctoral researcher will participate in the overseeing and management of general lab operations, help train graduate and undergraduate students and assist graduate students, other postdocs, or other staff when necessary.

 Laboratory management (5%)

As every member of the laboratory, the postdoctoral researcher will be involved in common tasks that includes maintaining a clean and organized laboratory, maintaining equipment and computers in the lab, placing eshop orders for equipment and supplies, adhering to chemical safety procedures as well as disposal of waste and hazardous material and ensure that all protocols and procedures adhere to safety requirements as mandated by the Cornell Office of Occupational & Environmental Health and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.

 Personal and professional development (10%)

The postdoctoral researcher will seek out and attend educational seminars and training workshops relevant to the research, attend weekly lab meetings and continuously maintain all required educational and position qualifications to fulfill job requirements. 

 Term of position:

This is a full-time position and will be located in (Ithaca, New York). This is a (one-year) appointment with possible extension depending on available work, funding and performance.  Expected start date for this position is May 3, 2021.

Required Qualifications:

Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in virology, immunology/microbiology/host-microbe interactions or a related biological discipline by May 3, 2021 and be self-motivated, and have excellent communication (verbal and written English) and organizational skills. Solid molecular biology and cell culture skills, experience working with arboviruses in vertebrate hosts and / or mosquitoes, and proficiency in statistics and data analysis preferred. A strong interest in applying ecological and evolutionary concepts and theory to infectious disease and a solid understanding and / or ability to execute (or desire to learn) different classes of mathematical models are highly desirable. Applicants should also have a strong interest and experience in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. 

Salary:  Commensurate with experience

Supervision exercised:  none

Application Instructions: Interested applicants should submit a CV, letter of interest, research statement, contact information for 3 references and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion via Academic Jobs Online at the following link: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/17383.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a candidate is selected or deadline for applications is 1/15/2021.  If you have questions about this position, please email ccm256@cornell.edu.

 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Life. Changing.