USDA-APHIS Quantitative Ecology

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducts research supporting agricultural health, wildlife management, and natural resource conservation. This full-time research opportunity involves studying wildlife disease ecology, spatial modeling, and feral swine impacts using ecological datasets and quantitative statistical methods. The participant will develop modeling and communication skills while collaborating with researchers and supporting practical wildlife management decisions.

What you'll do:

• Developing and applying customized Bayesian statistical models for wildlife management and monitoring data
• Learning how spatial and ecological modeling approaches are used to study wildlife disease spread and management strategies
• Interpreting wildlife monitoring data while developing an understanding of data collection limitations and challenges commonly encountered in wildlife management research
• Exploring methods used to evaluate wildlife management practices and their ecological impacts
• Strengthening quantitative ecology and statistical analysis skills, including Bayesian hierarchical modeling of ecological systems
• Collaborating with researchers and gaining exposure to communication strategies used to engage diverse stakeholders in natural resource management
• Learning how scientific modeling can help address management priorities and support practical decision-making in wildlife and natural resource conservation
• Developing experience communicating research findings through discussions, presentations, reports, or other scientific outreach activities

What they're looking for:

• The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree
• Can communicate technical information clearly both orally and in writing to a variety of audiences
• Experience with scientific studies and manuscripts through peer-reviewed publication and presented the findings at scientific conferences
• Manipulates GIS/satellite imagery data describing landcover and spatial meteorological data
• Models GPS location data of animals to estimate movement behavior
• Develops statistical models (especially Bayesian hierarchical models) of wildlife disease surveillance data or wildlife populations
• Experience with analyzing wildlife monitoring or wildlife disease surveillance data
• Broad, extensive knowledge of wildlife disease ecology and/or invasive species management
• Develops modeling pipelines from data extraction and processing through all stages of modeling and visualization of results
• Proficient with programming languages commonly used in quantitative ecology (e.g., C++, python, Matlab, or R), including software for advanced Bayesian data analysis (e.g., NIMBLE, stan)

Benefits:

• A $83,500.00 yearly stipend
• Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE