We currently have one opening at the post-doctoral level (one year, with a possible extension), to work on the coupling between biodiversity and ecosystem models in order to develop a flexible, modular simulation toolkit to assist stakeholder-engaged design of monitoring networks. In collaboration with an already group of researchers, the aim of this project is to develop a biomonitoring optimization program that can recommend locations to monitor ecosystem status, within a biological region of interest, that are optimal now and under climate change scenarios, in order to capture relevant changes in biodiversity.

By working closely with the GEO BON secretariat, and the viral emergence research initiative, this work will support the development of a methodology to provide information on the optimal Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV), with a specific focus on the monitoring of the host-virus system.

Ultimately, this project will result in an assessment of the feasibility of multi-purpose spatial networks of locations that can inform on statuses and trends for biodiversity, with a special interest for zoonotic diseases, showing how the methodology of ecosystem sciences translates to ecosystem conservation and global health.

Illustration of the anticipated pipeline (novel knowledge products, interactions, and software are in orange). Existing data (grey boxes to the left) will flow through existing codebases for community dynamics, climatic data, and biological dynamics, which will then be coupled to create new simulation models. The specific aim of this post-doc is to develop a case study related to disease spillover, that would build components of biodiversity monitoring.

Details on the position

The position will be hosted at the Université de Montréal, and comes with yearly travel money, and a lump sum for computer equipment (one laptop and two monitors).

Post-doctoral researchers at Université de Montréal are part of a union with a set salary scale; the yearly salary for this position is 59241 CAD annually, with union-mandated yearly increases. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate.

The position is a one year (renewable) appointment, with a starting date to be discussed. We are specifically aiming to hire a junior post-doc (i.e. immediately after Ph.D.). Because of the deadlines of this specific grant, priority will be given to applicants that are already eligible to work in Québec.

Required qualifications

Strong quantitative/statistical background in disease ecology, and particularly on spatial analyses

Ph.D. in disease ecology or wildlife epidemiology, or DVM with evidence of quantitative skills (ideally completed at the time of application, or within a few months of completion)

Desired qualifications

Desired qualifications for the position are listed below. Desired qualifications means that it would be nice for the applicant to have them, but they can be picked up rapidly by a motivated scientist. Required qualifications listed after them will be used to triage applications – applicants who do not possess these qualifications will not be considered.

The desired qualifications, listed in no specific order, are:

• development, maintenance, or significant contributions to software packages, showing good practices in software engineering
• contribution to a “Software Note” or “Application” article
• experience in using distributed computing systems (CPU and/or GPU)
• expertise in using a version control system (git in particular)
• knowledge of the Julia programming language, or strong willingness to learn
• work with stakeholders, notably through participation in facilitated or stakeholder-engaged workshops or projects
• global understanding of contemporary issues in biodiversity governance
• experience in tropical or temperate ecosystems ecology
• a commitment to open science as a practice – because we recognize that not everyone can safely contribute to open science, this will be assessed both by looking at realizations, or by the narrative in the letter of presentation

How to apply

Applications should be send by email directly to timothee.poisot@umontreal.ca, with the subject line “Ecosystems post-doc 3: NAME”. Applications will be reviewed starting immediately and continue until the positions are filled.

The application should contain a two-pages letter of presentation (name-letter.pdf) containing a brief overview of past research, a description of how you meet the required and desired qualifications, and a statement of interest for the position and the project. The application should also contain a short resume (name-resume.pdf; no more than three pages), focusing on professional accomplishments (grades and funding history, as they are strongly biased against under-represented minorities, will not be evaluated, and do not need to be mentioned).

The interview process involves three steps that are typically completed within two weeks: a one-hour discussion with Timothée to talk about qualifications and motivation; a discussion with self-nominated current and former group members, to get a sense of what life is like in the lab, the department, the university, etc.; finally, a discussion to go through the logistics and to prepare the offer.