Reference #: REQ0000031363
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
The Kennedy Labat Penn State in the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics (CIDD) is seeking a PostdoctoralScholar to work on projects relating the ecology of spillover to the evolution of host jump success. Preventing host jumps depends critically on identifying traits associated with disease emergence so that actions can be taken early to stop the spread of the disease, but knowledge of the factors that facilitate or prevent host jumps has been limited by a lack of suitable experimental study systems. Disease emergence is inherently a population-level phenomenon, and therefore can only be experimentally studied in a system where it is possible to have replicate host populations with potential for pathogen transmission. We have recently developed such a system (Caenorhabditis hosts and viruses native to C. elegans and C. briggsae). We have shown that for at least one of these viruses (Shaw & Kennedy 2021, https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.12.10.472097), some species of Caenorhabditis hosts are refractory to infection, some are infected but do not transmit, some are infected and transmit weakly, and some are infected and transmit well enough for the virus to be maintained in the population. In other words, different host species span the full range of possible outcomes following exposure to a novel pathogen.We additionally have preliminary data showing that these outcomes can evolve in the lab over short timescales.The successful applicant will develop case law and theory relating the ecology of spillover to the evolution of successful host jumps. This knowledge may be achieved by any combination of suitable approaches including ecological and/or evolutionary experiments in a laboratory setting, genomics and sequencing of viral isolates, or disease ecology modeling.Education and Experience
The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in a relevant field, a strong interest in evolutionary biology, and a history of productivity.Additional Information
This is a term appointment funded for one year from date of hire, with excellent possibility of extension.Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their research experience and how these experiences relate to the position, a CV, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.Please feel free to email Dave Kennedy (dak30@psu.edu) with any informal inquiries if you are interested.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus se urity, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.EEO IS THE LAWFederal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Affirmative Action
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
University Park, PAPenn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
