PhD assistantship: modeling virus transmission in salmon

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Subject: PhD assistantship: modeling virus transmission in salmon
 
Dr. Paige Ferguson, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama, is seeking a PhD student to begin in Spring 2019, Summer 2019, or Fall 2019.
 
Research will focus on modeling transmission of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in salmonids in the Columbia River Basin. IHNV causes severe disease, predominantly in juvenile steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and less frequently in Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha). Mortality events following IHNV infection can be devastating for individual hatchery programs. In this project, there will be close collaboration with colleagues at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center, University of Washington, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and fish health agencies. The specific research questions will be determined based on the interests of the student and collaborators. For more background, see: Ferguson, Breta, Brito, Kurath, LaDeau. 2018. An epidemiological model of virus transmission in salmonid fishes of the Columbia River Basin. Ecological Modelling 377: 1-15.
 
Applicants should have a background in many of the following: fisheries management, disease ecology, epidemiology, GIS, ecological modeling, statistics, computer programming, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Applicants should be highly motivated and prepared to conduct independent modeling research.
  
To apply, please email Dr. Ferguson (pfferguson@ua.edu) the following:
1. a cover letter describing your interest in the project and prior experiences that have prepared you for graduate work in Dr. Ferguson’s lab
2. your transcript(s) (an unofficial copy is fine),
3. GRE scores,
4. a sample of your scientific writing (for example a manuscript or lab report), and
5. contact information for 3 references.
 
Applications are due November 1. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
 
The position comes with a full tuition waiver, a competitive 12 month stipend, and health insurance. Funding is available as a Graduate Teaching Assistant through the Department of Biological Sciences. Highly qualified applicants may be considered for Graduate School Fellowships, which offer a Research Assistantship during the student’s first year.
 
Additional information is available from the following links:
Dr. Ferguson’s Research: http://bsc.ua.edu/paige-ferguson/
Department of Biological Sciences: http://bsc.ua.edu/
Graduate School: http://graduate.ua.edu
University of Alabama: http://www.ua.edu
Outdoor opportunities in Alabama: http://www.outdooralabama.com
 
 
 
 
Dr. Paige Ferguson
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
The University of Alabama