Postdoctoral Fellowship Announcement
A Program for Postdoctoral Support Combining Public Health Applications and Climate Science
A new two-year postdoctoral training fellowship will commence in 2010, in partnership between the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is widespread scientific consensus that the world’s climate is changing and that there will be a broad range of impacts on health through a variety of factors, including greater heat stress, air pollution, respiratory disease exacerbation, and changes in the geographic distribution of vector-, food- and water-borne disease. The complexity of such influences requires that the next generation of climate and health scientists undergo training in a multi-disciplinary setting to ensure that they can address climate-related public health challenges. To this end, a postdoctoral program in which fellows are trained and conduct research in epidemiology, ecology, behavioral science, modeling and atmospheric science is being implemented.
Fellows will acquire specific training in atmospheric and climate research following NCAR’s established postdoctoral training program, as well as training in public health at CDC. The goal is to increase the number of scientists with the appropriate experience and training to conduct research in this newly emerging field.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is a research institution located in Boulder, Colorado, operated by the nonprofit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) under sponsorship of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is an Agency within the federal government under the Department of Health and Human Services. The National Center for Zoonotic, Vectorborne and Enteric Diseases (NCZVED)/Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases (DVBID) located in Fort Collins, Colorado and the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), located in Atlanta, Georgia, will host postdoctoral fellows in the first award period.
The deadline for applications to the program will be January 5, 2010. Applications will be jointly reviewed by CDC and NCAR. Telephone interviews may be conducted in late January 2010. We anticipate fellowship awards will be announced by February 28, 2010.
Overview
The postdoctoral program provides an opportunity for recent doctoral graduates to continue pursuing their research interests in an environment that fosters the development of transdisciplinary projects. The program invites postdoctoral applicants in the fields of public health, epidemiology, ecology, atmospheric sciences, climatology, geography, biology, social and behavioral sciences, health economics or related fields.
The primary goal of the program is to develop the careers of recent doctoral graduates. The program will encourage independence and creativity while providing an environment in which fellows interact with and receive advice from experienced scientists at NCAR and CDC. The fellows will spend time at NCAR for research and training in weather/climate analysis and modeling, and at CDC for research and training in epidemiology and disease ecology (at NCZVED) or for research and training in environmental health (at NCEH). The time spent by the fellow at each institution will be agreed upon by the fellow and project advisors.
Research Opportunities
The postdoctoral fellowships provide opportunities to address public health concerns related to climate variability and change. The fellows will develop research projects in collaboration with NCAR and CDC scientists. Strong preference will be given to candidates who propose work on one of the priority research areas outlined below; however, applicants with related interests not covered in the priority research areas should contact one of the coordinators listed below to discuss their research proposal.
Research at NCAR includes studies of atmospheric dynamics (on all scales), climate science, atmospheric chemistry and radiation, oceanography, and societal impacts related to these scientific areas. Specific interest areas include precipitation and flooding, drought, hurricanes, soil moisture, land surface modeling, land use/land cover changes, regional climate modeling, and future climate modeling at global and regional scales, assessment of the societal impacts of climatological events, and public policy/economics as related to climate.
Research activities at NCZVED include developing spatially- and temporally-explicit models to predict the risk of vector-borne diseases such as human plague, Lyme disease, tularemia, dengue virus and West Nile virus. The population dynamics of disease vectors (e.g., fleas, mosquitoes, ticks) are linked to many factors, among them climatic variables such as temperature, humidity and precipitation. Many existing climate datasets do not have the spatial or temporal resolution required to adequately model disease risk in the regions of interest, which are often in remote or underdeveloped areas, or else there is inadequate access to climate data by the disease modelers. The postdoctoral fellow will be trained at NCZVED to gain the ecological and disease expertise necessary to develop and employ useful disease risk models for present and future (i.e., predictive) conditions. A potential collaborative area is the integration of human behavioral and human ecological factors into risk models for climate sensitive diseases.
Research activities at NCEH include but are not limited to: altered hydrological cycles due to climate change and its impact on the transport-fate of pollutants through regional watersheds; changes to nutritional and growth factors of various plant species with increased concentration and spatial coverage of the carbon dioxide biodome and its implications for airway diseases; use of remote sensing technology in the identification of vulnerable populations to excessive heat exposure or elevated aeroallergen burdens; predicting the emergence of harmful algae blooms in the presence of increased water temperatures and nutrient run-offs; impacts of projected temperature increases on current air quality regulations/standards and its implication on future respiratory and cardiovascular diseases burdens.
Each fellow is encouraged to pursue research objectives which take maximum advantage of the opportunities available at NCAR and CDC. Fellows have direct access to the NCAR and CDC computers and libraries, and can obtain appropriate access to other research facilities by mutual agreement with the appropriate project or facility. Special needs (e.g., for laboratory facilities) can often be met but should be arranged in advance through the appropriate project mentor or facility.
Fellows are expected to participate in postdoctoral and scientific community activities including seminars, lecture series, and research reviews and in community service activities during their term.
Priority Research Areas
Strong preference will be given to candidates who propose work on one of the priority research areas; however, applicants with related interests not covered in the priority research areas will also be considered. Applicants (whether proposing work in the priority research areas or not) are highly encouraged to contact one of the coordinators whose information has been provided to discuss the research plan they intend to propose; coordinators can assist in making contact with other scientific staff at CDC and NCAR.
Modeling Arboviral Disease Transmission
Many of the mosquito-borne diseases transmitted in the US and internationally are classified as arthropod-borne viruses, or arboviruses. Most arboviruses in the US are amplified in vertebrate hosts such as birds or small mammals, and a number of different mosquito species are implicated in the transmission of arboviruses. The combination of vector, host and pathogen contributes to the complex disease ecology of arboviruses. The post-doctoral fellow will cooperate with a multi-disciplinary team to model the spatial and temporal effects of weather, climate and other variables on the transmission dynamics of arboviruses. Arboviruses of particular interest include West Nile virus and Eastern Equine encephalitis virus, although models should be broadly applicable to other arboviruses. Temporal analysis will include the effects of short-term climatic events, seasonal changes, annual variation, and potential long-term climatic changes on virus amplification and disease transmission. Spatial components could include fine scale differences in vegetation within and among neighborhoods and river basins, to large-scale variations associated with regional differences within the USA, or between North American and tropical areas such as Puerto Rico and Guatemala. Initial predictive models will be evaluated with existing independent data sets obtained from NCAR, CDC or state and county health departments or by future field studies.
Modeling Bacterial Disease Transmission
The bacterial diseases of particular interest to this research area are those with arthropod vectors (primarily fleas and ticks) and zoonotic amplification hosts (most often small mammals). The combination of vector, host and pathogen contributes to complex ecologies of the disease. The post-doctoral fellow will cooperate with a multi-disciplinary team to model the effects of weather, climate and other variables on the distribution and abundance of bacterial disease vectors and the transmission dynamics of bacterial disease agents. Bacterial diseases of particular interest include plague, tularemia, and Lyme disease, although models should be broadly applicable to other vector-borne diseases. Temporal analyses may include the effects of short-term climatic events, seasonal changes, annual variation, and potential long-term climatic changes on vector abundance, bacterial amplification, human case occurrence and pathogen transmission. Spatial analyses may explore the relationship between spatial heterogeneity in temperature and rainfall, particularly in topographically diverse areas, and human risk of exposure to vector-borne bacterial pathogens. Initial predictive models will be evaluated with existing independent data sets obtained from NCAR, CDC or other state and county health departments or by future field studies.
Modeling Mosquito Populations for Management in Natural Disasters
Natural disasters often profoundly affect local ecosystems; one outcome can be conducive conditions for larger mosquito and other arthropod populations, which can hamper recovery efforts and adversely affect human health. The post-doctoral fellow will cooperate with a multi-disciplinary team to document the effects of adverse weather events such as wide scale flooding on mosquito activity. Using flooding and wind damage information generated by satellite imagery and mosquito trapping data from the ground, a modeled algorithm will be developed that will affect decision making for determining when emergency vector control is no longer needed in areas with no historical mosquito control data. Initial predictive models will be evaluated with existing independent data sets obtained from NCAR, CDC or other state and county health departments or by field studies to assess future management of mosquito disease vectors in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Mapping Vulnerability to Excessive Heat Events and Aeroallergen Burdens
The post-doctoral fellow will cooperate with a multi-disciplinary team to map regional and local vulnerability to exposures of excessive heat events and degraded air quality within urban micro-climates. Extreme heat events are likely to increase in the future; studies show that the elderly and socially isolated are most vulnerable. Increased carbon dioxide levels and temperature will result in a longer growing season, altered allergenicity of pollen proteins, and heavier pollen loads, which may impact individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. Identifying communities most vulnerable to the excessive heat exposures and elevated aeroallergens through remote sensing technologies, various vegetative indices, health and demographic data, with the added component of climate modeling and forecasting applications will allow cities to better target preparedness and intervention strategies to promote health. Initial predictive models for the focus areas will be evaluated with existing independent data sets obtained from NCAR, CDC or other state and county health departments or by future field studies.
Modeling the Emergence of Harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal Waters
The post-doctoral fellow will cooperate with a multi-disciplinary team to model the impact of climate on the emergence of harmful algae blooms in coastal waters. Models will focus on the temporal and spatial coverage of these blooms, taking into consideration variables such as short and long-term climate variation including rising surface water temperature, expansion of suitable habitats and frequency of contamination among marine life. The models will also explore the relationship of environmental factors such as heavy rainfall with the emergence of the blooms. Initial predictive models will be evaluated with existing independent data sets obtained from NCAR, CDC or other state and county health departments or by future field studies.
Qualifications
An applicant must have a PhD, ScD, DrPH, DVM, MD or equivalent degree granted in an area specified above as of January 2005 or later or must be able to complete such a degree and finish all thesis revisions and defense before starting the appointment. We encourage applications from women and minorities. Successful foreign applications will be contingent on visa and security requirements.
Primary criteria used in the selection of postdoctoral fellows are the applicant's scientific capability and potential, especially as indicated by originality and independence, and the match between the applicant's interests and the research opportunities available at NCAR and CDC.
Stipend and Benefits
Successful applicants currently receive a stipend of $55,000 in the first year, and $57,500 in the second year. These stipends are adjusted annually in October based on surveys of like institutions. All appointees are eligible for life and health insurance. Travel expenses to NCAR will be reimbursed according to UCAR relocation guidelines for the fellow and his or her family. ASP also provides allowances of $750 for moving and storing personal belongings, and $2000 for annual scientific travel support. If relocation to a CDC facility is necessary during the period of the fellowship those relocation costs will be covered, with a maximum allowance of $1750 (in accordance with the amounts specified above for initial travel expenses).
Number and Terms of Appointments
In this initial period two (2) postdoctoral fellowship training positions will be awarded. Appointments are for a maximum of two years. It is anticipated that these fellows will begin their appointments in early 2010.
Program Coordinators
Dr. Mary Hayden, NCAR, mhayden@ucar.edu (303)497-8116
Dr. George Luber, CDC/NCEH, GLuber@cdc.gov (770)488-3429
Dr. Emily Zielinski-Gutierrez, CDC/DVBID, ebz0@cdc.gov (970)221-6477
How to Apply
You will be applying for the NCAR/CDC Postdoctoral Fellowship through NCAR’s online application program. The program will prompt you to create a login and a profile that contains required information for our search. You will be asked to upload documents, and to provide the names of 4 references who will be sending letters of recommendation on your behalf.
Your application consists of 5 components:
1. Statement of Research (Must be a PDF document)
2. Curriculum Vita (Must be a PDF document)
3. Transcripts (Must be a PDF document)
4. Cover Letter (Must be a PDF document)
5. The names and email addresses of four references who will provide a letter of reference.
Statement of Research
Your statement of research provides information about what you propose to research at NCAR and CDC in response to the priority research area descriptions provided above. Your proposed research should enhance and complement the research already being conducted at NCAR and CDC. Applicants are highly encouraged to contact the researcher or a coordinator whose information has been provided. Your statement of research should be a maximum of 3 pages (12pt font, single spaced). The document MUST be a PDF file. For more information about creating a PDF document, please go to: http://www.asp.ucar.edu/createpdf.php
Curriculum Vita
Your Curriculum Vita must be uploaded to the application program as a PDF document.
Transcripts
Your transcripts must be uploaded to our system as a PDF document. We only need your graduate transcripts, and they can be unofficial. Please get a copy of your transcript and scan it as a PDF document. If you attended an American institution and your transcript contains your social security number, please be sure to block out that number before scanning. If you attended graduate school at an institution that does not have transcripts, please provide a list of your graduate coursework and any grades/marks received.
Cover Letter
Please include a cover letter as a PDF document.
Letters of Reference
As part of the application process, we will need 4 letters of recommendation from your references. Your references will be able to upload their letters of recommendation for you directly into the application program. (The online application program will automatically send an email requesting a letter of reference to the email address that you enter into the system. The email will include an exclusive link that will allow them to upload a document. You will receive notice from the system when each of your references has successfully uploaded a letter on your behalf. At this time the system does NOT identify which reference has uploaded a letter.)
If your reference has not received the automated email or has deleted it due to it being marked as spam (unsolicited bulk email) please have them send the letter via email to asp-apply@asp.ucar.edu
APPLICATIONS WILL NOT ACCEPTED AFTER 5 January 2010
Background Materials
An extensive discussion of NCAR science is featured in the NCAR Annual Scientific Report, which can be found at http://www.nar.ucar.edu/ and in the NCAR Strategic Plan at http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/publications/stratplan06.pdf. Additional information on the NCAR scientific program can be found here, http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/research/.
CDC’s work in the area of climate change and public health is detailed online: http://www.cdc.gov/ClimateChange/ . Public health topics covered by the Division of Vector-Bone Infectious are delineated at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/index.html and the Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects website is http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehhe/ .
Other NCAR/UCAR Postdoc Opportunities:
http://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/postdocs/