Assistant Professor Korryn Bodner is seeking a motivated and independent PhD student to join her research team in the Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College.
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The project will study the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the pathogens it transmits in Ontario. The goal is to forecast tick abundance and pathogen risk by combining analyses of existing surveillance data with a new field study. This work addresses the growing concern of expanding tick distributions and the emergence of tick-borne diseases important to human and animal health.
The student will:
- Analyze established active surveillance records (with partners at the University of Ottawa) to examine spatiotemporal patterns in tick populations and infection rates
- Conduct field surveillance to generate a complementary dataset
- Integrate ecological and climate covariates into hierarchical and time-series forecasting models
- Contribute to decision-relevant forecasts from a One Health perspective
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- MSc (or equivalent) in epidemiology, ecology, biostatistics, or a related quantitative field
- Strong interest in quantitative epidemiology and statistical modeling (R preferred)
- Experience with Bayesian or hierarchical models is an asset
- Willingness to conduct field surveillance (previous fieldwork experience is an asset)
- Ontario Class G driverโs license (or equivalent)
- Strong written and oral communication; ability to work independently and collaboratively
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Please email Dr. Korryn Bodner ([email protected]) indicating your interest and include the following:
- Letter of interest
- CV
- Unofficial transcript
- Contact information for 2 references
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.
Applicants must meet admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Guelph: https://lnkd.in/gHUpG3B2
