Two Post-doc Positions for the SARS-CoV-2 Participatory Animal Surveillance in Alaska (SPASAK) Project starting October 2023
The overarching objective of the SPASAK project is to pilot participatory SARS-CoV-2 animal surveillance with underserved Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Alaska using approaches that empower these communities to fully participate in disease surveillance (hunted animals, peri-domestic small mammals, domestic dogs, and wastewater), investigations, result communication, and potential response measures. Integrating social science methods will support the co-development of a scientifically, socially, and culturally acceptable surveillance system, from sampling to communication of findings, to participatory investigations on spillover mechanisms and interventions. Combining Indigenous Knowledge with scientific understanding improves wildlife surveillance and advances Indigenous Peoples' self-determination in research, while creating mutual animal and human health benefits. Given past negative impacts on health determinants of Indigenous communities as a result of poorly designed outreach and communication on contaminants in traditional foods, attention will be given to safeguarding the cultural, socioeconomic, and nutritional dimensions of Indigenous rights and food security when discussing, studying, and addressing zoonotic risks.
We are seeking:
1: A Postdoctoral Surveillance Coordinator, SPASAK Project, ideally a biologist, wildlife disease ecologist, epidemiologist, environmental health or One Health specialist, or veterinarian, to lead the implementation and coordination of fieldwork, data collation, and analyses for the SARS-CoV-2 Participatory Animal Surveillance in Alaska (SPASAK). This position will work closely with the Social Science Investigator, SPASAK Project.
2. A Social Science Investigator, SPASAK Project, ideally a social scientist with expertise in co-production of research, integrating Indigenous and Western science approaches, qualitative and quantitative social science data collection, and application of social science expertise in a conservation context to lead on a participatory community research project focused on wildlife disease surveillance in the Alaskan Arctic for the SARS-CoV-2 Participatory Animal Surveillance in Alaska (SPASAK).
Applications will be accepted via the WCS Career Website. We will begin reviewing applications August 18.
APPLY HERE for the Postdoctoral Surveillance Coordinator, SPASAK Project.
APPLY HERE for the Social Science Investigator, SPASAK Project.
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Regional Researcher Specialist
Regional Researcher Specialist (Colombia, Global Conservation Full-Time)
WCS is partnering with the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) on the project, which is supported through a Volkswagen Foundation initiative "Global Challenges - Preventing Pandemics: The Role of Human-Environmental Interactions”. The overarching objective of the SIMPEL project is to characterize the socio-ecological mechanisms of pathogen emergence in response to land-use change through 1. Understanding human-nature relations in communities across changing landscapes; 2. Analyzing effects of land-use change on the distribution and population dynamics of wild and domestic hosts in key sites in Bolivia and Colombia; 3. Identifying wild host physiological and immune response to environmental changes that may contribute to mechanisms of pathogen emergence; 4. Characterizing pathogen diversity and dynamics along land-use change gradients.
Job Summary: support the implementation and coordination of fieldwork, and lead standardized scientific approaches, data collation, and analyses for the SIMPEL project: Addressing Wildlife Risk Knowledge Gaps At the Environment-Health Nexus of the Andes-Amazon-Orinoco: Socio-ecological Impacts and Mechanisms of Pathogen Emergence in Changing Landscap. This position requires a range of skills, including disease surveillance in various wildlife species, project management, multi-disciplinary team coordination, scientific leadership, diverse data collection, management and analyses, and an understanding of drivers of emerging infectious diseases of wildlife origin, including the importance of integrating the social sciences, and public health implications. Major Responsibilities:
Qualification Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Desirable experience:
Other Competences:
Salary Range
Competitive salary according to the hiring country
APPLY HERE