Postdoctoral Fellowship in Population Medicine - Vector and Vector-borne Disease Surveillance
Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
With ongoing climatic and land use modifications, several vectors of human and animal health significance have emerged in Canada. Environmental surveillance has become a mainstay at evaluating the distribution, activity, and abundance of vector populations. Sentinel surveillance, which involves the targeted selection of sentinel units for longitudinal monitoring, has shown great promise in generating rich data while combatting logistical challenges associated with widespread intensive sampling. The Canadian Lyme Sentinel Network (CaLSeN) is an established sentinel network for monitoring blacklegged ticks across the country and is currently entering its 6th year of data collection. We seek to build upon this model to expand to other tick species as well as pilot a sentinel surveillance approach in Ontario for other vectors of concern.
Description of Lab:
The Laboratory for Applied Epidemiological Research for One Health (AEROH), led by PI Katie Clow, is founded on the following core principles:
We live One Health. Our research focuses on addressing wicked health challenges and optimizing health across species and ecosystems. We use a system-based approach to develop a holistic view of current health challenges. We strive to break down disciplinary silos and collaborate both with other academic disciplines and non-academic actors to integrate diverse knowledges and perspectives. We ensure the knowledge generated by our research does not just sit on the shelf but rather is shared back with the communities for which it was intended.
We prioritize research integrity. This acknowledges our key responsibility to conduct research using the highest ethical standards, with animals and humans, to create evidence-based solutions.
We are a community. We support each other to achieve our goals and grow both professionally and personally. We are all committed to fostering a safe environment where all individuals are welcome and can thrive.
General Outline of Duties:
The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the activities of the Canadian Lyme Sentinel Network, including developing relationships with collaborators across the country, conducting field work, analyzing data, drafting manuscripts, and writing grants to extend and expand the research activities of the network. The candidate will also lead the development of a pilot sentinel network in Ontario for vector-borne and water-borne zoonoses with co-PI Lauren Grant, including sentinel site selection via a collaborative multi-criteria decision analysis process, establishing data collection protocols, and writing manuscripts.
Teaching Requirement: There is no teaching requirement or guaranteed teaching involvement with this position. If eligible and of interest, the candidate will be supported in applying for a sessional position.
Student/Employee Supervision: As a senior member of the AEROH lab, the candidate will be required to contribute to junior graduate student development. Depending on interest, there may be an opportunity to co-supervise one or more trainees at the undergraduate or graduate levels.
Required Qualifications:
PhD in epidemiology, or related field; Strong technical knowledge in vector ecology and approaches to surveillance; Strong and demonstrated skills in networking and relationship building; Strong and demonstrated leadership experience; Ability to work independently and as part of a team; Strong written and oral communication skills.
Start Date & Duration of Appointment: Flexible, ideally on or around March 1, 2025, for one year with the possibility of extension depending on additional funding
Anticipated Hours/Days of Work (at time of posting): 7 hours/5 days
Salary Information: $50,000 salary + $9,750 benefits (19.50% benefit rate) = $59,750 total
At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. We invite and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.
Application Requirements:
Candidates are invited to submit a:
- Cover letter
- CV
Within these documents, candidates are encouraged to provide a narrative on all scholarly contributions, including the scholarship of teaching, community service, outreach, mentoring and non-traditional areas of research, since they are strongly valued by the AEROH lab. Career interruptions due to personal responsibilities should be described and will be fully considered in the review of qualifications and productivity.
In addition to the above application requirements, please submit the names and contact information of two references.
Applications are due by January 2, 2025. Please email Dr. Clow (kclow@uoguelph.ca) with the subject line “PDF application.” Applications from members of equity-deserving groups are strongly encouraged to apply.