The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder) encourages applications for a Post-Doctoral Associate in Climate Applications to Vector-Borne Disease in Boulder, Colorado. The successful candidate will work with colleagues engaged in researching the impacts of weather/climate on West Nile virus (WNV) in the United States. Recent research has shown that, at large spatial scales, incorporating relationships derived from historical climate data and neuroinvasive WNV case data into predictive models have the potential to improve forecasts of annual WNV disease counts.
We are looking to expand on that research to improve those relationships and see if such WNV forecasts can be made in real time, with imperfect seasonal prediction models. Key colleagues have strong backgrounds in atmospheric science, and external research partners have strong backgrounds in public health and epidemiology. We have a highly collaborative work culture, and we are looking for a candidate who actively subscribes to this philosophy. Successful candidates will demonstrate competency and sensitivity in working with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Work with gridded datasets to establish relationships between climate and WNV. (40%)
- Apply established relationships to climate forecast models (lead times out to 1 year) to provide (pseudo) real-time WNV forecasts. (35%)
- Investigate how WNV in the United States might change in a changing climate (10%)
- Collaborate with subject matter experts in both climate and public health to maintain connections between these two communities. (7%)
- Present results in webinars, conferences, and peer-reviewed literature. (5%)
- Performs other relevant duties as necessary. (3%)
What We Require
- A Ph.D. in climate-related science, or in public health/epidemiology (with substantial experience in applying climate data), or a similar relevant field of study is required.
- Minimum experience: none beyond PhD is required.