Biodefense Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Veterinary Clinical Studies
A postdoctoral research opportunity is available with the the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit in Orient Point, New York.
The Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) Research Participation Program offers biodefense research opportunities to motivated students and postgraduates interested in developing novel strategies to control foreign animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever virus (ASFV).
The postdoctoral research opportunities in veterinary clinical studies, molecular epidemiology and modeling will involve conducting research related to viral pathogenesis, molecular evolution, modeling, and descriptive epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and/or African swine fever virus (ASFV) within the PIADC BSL-3 containment laboratory. Distinct opportunities have different emphases including virus-host interactions, endemic FMDV ecology, the role of asymptomatic carriers as potential reservoirs, and ASFV pathogenesis. Some travel to study sites in endemic regions may be required. The research opportunities are available immediately and are funded for 1 year, with the opportunity of renewal for up to 5 years.
PIADC is the only U.S. laboratory facility performing research, development and diagnosis of foreign animal diseases of highest threat to the U.S. This critical national asset is located off the northeast coast of Long Island, NY, and accessible by government-provided ferry from Orient Point, NY, and Old Saybrook, CT. Research at PIADC is performed on animal diseases that threaten the nation's animal industries and exports. One of the missions of FADRU is to investigate foreign animal diseases (FADs) in their endemic settings to help mitigate the risks of catastrophic economic losses caused by these pathogens in the event of accidental or deliberate introduction to the United States.
Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant may be involved in the following activities:
- Study design for pathogenesis experiments involving exotic viral diseases of livestock
- Execution of pathogenesis experiments involving exotic viral diseases of livestock
- Clinical examinations of livestock (pigs and/or cattle)
- Sample collection from living livestock
- Postmortem examination, dissection, and sample collection
- Polymerase chain reaction
- Tissue culture and virus isolation
- Data analysis
- Drafting manuscripts reporting experimental results
- Descriptive epidemiological analyses
- Study design for modeling of infection data
- Simulation modeling of infectious disease spread
- Viral phylogenetic and phylodynamic modeling
For additional information about the postdoctoral opportunities at USDA/ARS//PIADC, please contact Dr. Jonathan Arzt: jonathan.arzt@ars.usda.gov
Anticipated appointment start date is flexible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
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 PIADC. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of PIADC and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at PIADC in the Orient Point, New York, area. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, PIADC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals.