Job Description

What You Will Do:

This Postdoctoral researcher will advance the goals of the US Global Change Research Program’s (USGCRP) Climate and Health Monitor and Outlook (CHMO) activity (see: https://dx.doi.org/10.1175/bams-d-20-0054.1], exploring opportunities to transition climate and health research into new national information products and services for vector-borne disease prediction.

The postdoc will pilot new capabilities relevant to a potential new national capacity to predict environmental and ecological drivers of vector-borne disease. In particular, the postdoc may be directed to focus on any or all of the following priorities of the CHMO team:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the sensitivity of disease transmission and vector ecology to environmental conditions
Survey and synthesis of observation and prediction systems for climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases. Fellow may also do research on ideal observing systems, such as by conducting an OSSE for an earth system and vector ecology observing system links to mosquito surveillance
Improvement of NOAA environmental data, delivery/service for infectious disease prediction - improving the accessibility and usability of current NOAA products, and potentially developing new derivative produces and tools or scripts for data access and processing
Create national and/or global spatial model and map of VBD risk for specific diseases, vectors or geographies
Pilot new approaches to experimental operational modeling of climate-sensitive health outcomes, such as through multi-model ensembles.
Cultivate and sustain robust relationships with health decision-makers who serve as the principal target audience for CHMO products.

The Researcher will work with team members from many agencies, but specifically will work closely with a core team leading CHMO development, led by NOAA, CDC, and NIH experts also affiliated with the USGCRP Cross-cutting Interagency Working Group for Climate and Health (CCHHG). The postdoc will also work closely with climate and VBD researchers funded under the NOAA Climate Program Office’s International Research and Applications Project (IRAP). The postdoc will be expected to work effectively in both a team setting and in a focused, autonomous research mode.

The position includes conducting scientific, statistical analyses, designing and developing experimental web-based prototype products, giving presentations at scientific meetings, and publication of peer-reviewed articles. ,

This position will be located at the Global Systems Laboratory in Boulder, CO.                                                                                                                                             

Responsibilities:

Develop new experimental early-warning products and services related to one or more climate sensitive diseases with national coverage and regional specificity as part of the Climate and Health Monitor and Outlook.
Design and execute exploratory environmental (gridded and observation) data analysis and statistical analysis, including reviewing primary and secondary literature, and developing statistical models, regarding the sensitivity and predictability of climate-sensitive diseases.
Investigate and integrate existing infectious disease modeling systems developed by other experts for inclusion in an integrated climate and health monitor and outlook.
Take the lead and participate in writing scientific journal articles. Present results at relevant meetings.

DECISION MAKING & PROBLEM SOLVING

Works closely with climate and VBD researchers and will be expected to work effectively in both a team setting and in a focused, autonomous research mode.

Makes independent decisions to design experimental products for the USGCRP Climate and Health Monitor and Outlook (CHMO), and to devise diagnostic techniques / tools to evaluate model simulations and synthesize observations.

Decides on most effective research strategies and on most effective ways to articulate scientific results.

Operates with a significant degree of independence. Priorities will be determined in conjunction with the supervisor.

What You Need:

Education and Years of Experience

A Ph.D. or equivalent experience in health or climate sciences; demonstrated understanding of spatial statistical analysis of infectious diseases; research experience in a relevant field, with contributions to refereed journals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

We are seeking a candidate with a multidisciplinary background in both climate/earth-system modeling and public health/epidemiology, or a candidate with training in one of those disciplines and a strong interest in expanding and complementing their knowledge across disciplines. Specific desired knowledge, interest, and experience includes:

Familiarity with vector-borne and zoonotic diseases such as West Nile virus disease and dengue fever.
Familiarity with Earth system processes, and specifically, familiarity with boundary layer processes. Experience with atmospheric prediction modeling.
Experience working with large spatial climatological and meteorological data sets, as well as in obtaining and preparing health datasets, including weather forecasts, climate predictions and projections, and epidemiological surveillance data.
Expertise in biostatistical analysis, predictive epidemiological model building, and graphical presentation, preferably using R and/or Python.
Expert knowledge of infectious disease and climate dynamics.
Strong written and oral communication skills, especially for scientific publications and presentations.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Applicant Notes:

This position is subject to work location requirements for obtaining access to facilities and research systems. These requirements may include a combination of national security checks, credit checks, fingerprinting, or other security clearance requirements.
Non-risk based position:  A pre-employment screening is conducted in conjunction with an offer for employment. This screening may involve verifying or reviewing any of the following relevant information: restricted parties screening, employment verification, performance records of internal candidates, education verification, reference checks, verification of professional licenses, certifications, and Motor Vehicle Records.  UCAR complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).