USGS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Wild Bird Ecology, Modeling, and Decision Analysis

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) located in Laurel, Maryland.

The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. 

Research Project: The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center is searching for a fellow to gain experience with a suite of wildlife disease research projects. The Eastern Ecological Science Center, formerly Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, is a world-renowned research institution located within 30 minutes of Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. This fellowship will consist primarily of office elements focusing on understanding the role of wild waterfowl in the spread and persistence of avian influenza viruses and will include the integration of disease ecology, mathematics and statistics, and decision analysis methodology to address questions relevant to disease managers. There would be opportunities to participate in field research if desired. Additional information about our broader scope of ongoing research can be found at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eesc/disease-decision-analysis-and-research

Examples of training include gaining experience designing and performing analyses to answer questions related to wild bird ecology and disease transmission. For instance, one project planned is to assess the potential impacts of disease mitigation measures (e.g., carcass removal during mortality events) across a range of species and disease characteristics. This fellowship will also link avian disease with relevant decision-making needs potentially including efforts such as designing multi-species sampling designs, evaluating the effects of population antibodies on disease spread, and more. You will collaborate with lab members of various backgrounds (B.S. to postdoc) and help in experimental design and in guiding selection of analytical methods across a range of studies. You will have opportunity to be involved in other disease systems, as well (e.g. Chronic Wasting Disease).

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn to apply disease ecology principles to understand the role of wild waterfowl in the spread and persistence of avian influenza viruses.
• Learn to integrate ecology, mathematics, statistics, and decision analysis to address wildlife disease management questions.
• Learn to design and conduct quantitative analyses related to wild bird ecology and disease transmission dynamics.
• Learn to evaluate the potential impacts of disease mitigation strategies, such as carcass removal, across species and disease systems.
• Learn to develop multi-species sampling designs and assess factors such as population immunity on disease spread.
• Learn to collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams on experimental design and analytical method selection.
• Learn about additional wildlife disease systems, including Chronic Wasting Disease.
• Learn to participate in field research activities related to wildlife disease studies, as opportunities arise.

Mentor: The mentors for this opportunity are Diann Prosser (dprosser@usgs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s). 

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 1, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of DOI and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate. The anticipated stipend is $65,000.00 annually.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions: If you have questions about the application process please email USGS@orau.org  and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields (e.g.  Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resources, GIS, Statistics, or a related field). Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 7/1/2026.

Preferred skills:

• Highly motivated and able to act independently, and a strong track record of producing published research.
• Experience with both frequentist and Bayesian methods is highly desirable, as is a demonstrated proficiency with a wide breadth of analytical methods for ecological analyses.
• Experience or interest in decision analysis approaches.
• Knowledge of R, with experience in GIS platforms, Spatial Disease Modeling, or Movement Ecology being beneficial.
• Willing to be a part of various projects other than those mentioned, as this lab and DDAR group (Prosser, Cook, Runge) collaborate on a wide variety of topics.

Stipend

$65,000.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Rachel

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 7/1/2026 12:00:00 AM.