Post-doctoral Position in Disease Ecology at the French Center for Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity (CESAB)

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join an international working group investigating connections between biodiversity and emerging infectious diseases. The group is based at the French Center for Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity (CESAB www.cesab.org), and jointly funded by the French Foundation for Biodiversity Research (FRB; http://www.fondationbiodiversite.fr/) and the international programme on biodiversity research, DIVERSITAS (www.diversitas-international.org). Projects initiated by this group will explore three major questions: 1) Which life history characteristics make organisms good hosts for parasites? 2) What traits favor cross-species transmission of parasites? 3) How does biodiversity affect disease emergence, particularly in a spatial context?

The postdoctoral researcher will work with an international and interdisciplinary team of scientists (up to 14 scientists involved) led by Jean-François Guégan and Benjamin Roche (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, France), and James Mills (Emory University, USA). The position will be based at Montpellier (IRD research centre;

www.france-sud.ird.fr) in southern France, but international travel (Italy, USA, Mexico) to enhance research collaboration among team members is expected.

The successful applicant will be broadly trained in ecology or a related field (PhD or equivalent degree required), with expertise in one or more of the following areas: spatial ecology, community ecology, mathematical modeling, bioinformatics, phylogenetic and comparative analyses, compilation and manipulation of large datasets. Prior research experience with infectious diseases is expected. The ability to communicate in French is not required, but is considered a plus.

The appointment is for 2 years with a start date of May 2013. The non-negotiable net salary ranges from 1,800 to 2,000 euros/month (before income tax) depending on previous experience. To apply, please submit a cover letter describing your research interests, a CV, and the names and contact information for three references to Jean-François Guégan (jean-francois.guegan@ird.fr), with “BIODIS postdoc position” as the subject. Deadline for application: 15 March. A short-list of candidates will be interviewed by the BIODIS consortium, until the position is filled.

This research working group is also sponsored by the international programme DIVERSITAS

--

Benjamin Roche

International Research Unit UMMISCO

Center for Mathematical and Computational Modeling of Complex Systems Research Institute for Development (IRD) 32, avenue Henri Varagnat

93143 Bondy Cedex, France

Phone: +33629585460

e-mail:roche.ben@gmail.com

web: http://roche.ben.googlepages.com