GRA- Sundaram Lab

Posting Number:

G/R34810P

Working Title:

GRA- Sundaram Lab

Department:

VetMed-Precision One Health

About the University of Georgia:

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department:

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals as well as people. The college benefits pets and their owners, food-producing animals, and wildlife by offering the highest quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. Equipped with the most technologically advanced facilities located on a university campus, the college is dedicated to safeguarding public health by studying emerging infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health.The College of Veterinary Medicine values all members of the university community, recognizing that differences in experience and culture can only lead to a more well-rounded, accepting academic environment as embodied in our Principles of Community.

College/Unit/Department website:

www.vet.uga.edu

Employment Type:

Employee

Anticipated Start Date:

01/01/2027

Posting Date:

09/22/2026

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To apply: Interested candidates should send a brief cover letter describing their research interests and background, a CV, and contact information for 2–3 references to Dr. Mekala Sundaram at msundara@uga.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately for a start date of Jan 2027 if possible or later if need be.

Location of Vacancy:

Athens Area

EOO Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement:

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and curate global databases on wildlife reservoirs and coronavirus disease outbreaks.
• Process and integrate environmental, ecological, and socioeconomic GIS data layers.
• Apply spatial statistics and machine learning to identify drivers of pathogen persistence and spillover risk.
• Build predictive models linking wildlife host dynamics with coronavirus outbreak patterns.
• Prepare high-impact manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

Percentage of time:

100

Classification Title:

Graduate Research Assistant

FLSA:

Exempt

FTE:

.50

Position Summary:

The Sundaram Laboratory in the Department of Infectious Diseases within the Precision One Health Initiative at the University of Georgia is seeking a motivated PhD student to investigate the ecology of wildlife reservoirs, coronavirus dynamics, and the mechanisms driving zoonotic spillover into human populations. Research in the Sundaram Lab integrates disease ecology, macroecology, epidemiology, spatial statistics, and machine learning to address fundamental questions: Which wildlife species serve as primary reservoirs for emerging pathogens? What ecological conditions trigger wildlife disease outbreaks? Why do certain wildlife outbreaks spill over into humans while others remain isolated? Can zoonotic spillover be anticipated from ecological patterns prior to human transmission?

• Funding: 5 years of full support (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance benefits).
• Location: University of Georgia (Athens, GA).
• Flexibility: While aligned with broader lab goals, students have considerable freedom to tailor projects to their specific scientific interests.
• Skills Gained: Advanced training in GIS, spatial statistics, machine learning, macroecology, and big-data management.

The student will be mentored by Dr. Mekala Sundaram, Assistant Professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases (College of Veterinary Medicine) with a joint appointment at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL).

Interested candidates should send a brief cover letter describing their research interests and background, a CV, and contact information for 2–3 references to Dr. Mekala Sundaram at msundara@uga.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately for a start date of Jan 2027 if possible or later if need be.

Is this a Position of Trust?:

Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? :

No

Does this position require a P-Card? :

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? :

No

Is driving a requirement of this position?:

No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?:

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications):

Yes

Background Investigation Policy:

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Contact Details:

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name:

Mekala Sundaram

Recruitment Contact Email:

msundara@uga.edu