Job Title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Location: Elect Eng & Computer Science
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 605009
Workplace Culture

NAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We—faculty, staff, and administrators—thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU’s culture of excellence.

Furlough/Pay Reduction Program

Northern Arizona University is intending to implement an unpaid furlough/pay reduction program in fiscal year 2021, as a result of COVID-19. Although details have not yet been released, it is possible for this position to be subject to this program.

Job Description

The Mihaljevic Lab (jrmihalj.github.io) is seeking a postdoctoral candidate to conduct research on an NSF-sponsored project related to understanding the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in regional, rural networks. The Postdoctoral Scholar will play a pivotal role in developing epidemiological models that explain the spatial spread of SARS-CoV-2 and in creating statistical computing routines to fit these models to geo-referenced data. Furthermore, the appointee will have the opportunity to help develop a cyberinfrastructure for communicating modeling results with diverse public health and healthcare stakeholders. While the main duties of the selected candidate will be to design, analyze, and publish the results from epidemiological modeling studies, the candidate will also participate in discussions involving public health policy. Indeed, this unique position will allow the selected candidate to engage with collaborators in NAU’s School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems (SICCS), The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (PMI), and the Center for Health Equity Research (CHER), as well as collaborators in government positions.

NAU is currently engaged in an Organizational Growth and Effectiveness Initiative, which focuses on positioning the University for future success of its operational practices. As a result, some aspects of this position may be subject to change, such as, but not limited to: duties, titles, reporting structure, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in related field (e.g., Epidemiology, Applied Mathematics, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology), conferred by date of appointment.
• Research experience in mathematical epidemiology, dynamical systems, statistical inference, and/or disease ecology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Availability to start in July 2020, although start date is negotiable.
• Success while working in interdisciplinary groups with collaborators and stakeholders from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• A record of publication in the peer-reviewed literature in relevant fields, including lead authorship.
• A successful record of applying for research grants.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrable experience fitting dynamical models (i.e., differential-equation models) to data using maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, or other fitting routines.
• Knowledge of spatial disease models and statistical inference using spatial data.
• Ample experience coding in C and R/Python, demonstrable through the candidate’s open-access code repositories.
• Knowledge of version control.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Innovation, self-motivation, critical thinking and problem solving.
• Vision for research growth in epidemiology and disease ecology.

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check.

Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus and NAU-Fort Defiance as these campuses have on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities.

If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Commensurate with experience.

**The starting salary will be determined by the qualifications of the selected applicant balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

Post-Doctoral Scholars are hired on a contract basis, renewable each fiscal year for a maximum of 4 renewals (5 years) according to terms of the Arizona Board of Regents' Conditions of Post-Doctoral Service.

NAU offers an excellent benefit package to Post-Doctoral Scholars including generous health, dental and vision insurance; 10 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. Participation in NAU retirement plans is not available to Post-Doctoral Scholars. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days. If your position includes the supervision of a benefit-eligible employee, we offer the NAU Supervisors Academy for you to complete within your first 2 years.

Application Deadline

July 15, 2020 at 11:59 pm.14 days, minimum

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.