Postdoctoral Research Associate in Wildlife Disease Ecology and Spatial Modeling – Bridgewater State University
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an NSF project in wildlife disease ecology based in the Department of Biological Sciences at Bridgewater State University. The position focuses on host–vector surveillance, wildlife monitoring, and spatial and hierarchical modeling in Greater Boston. The postdoc will join the Surasinghe lab (Co-PI) at Bridgewater State University and contribute to the NSF Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID) project, “Eco-social dynamics of tick-borne pathogens along urbanization gradients: establishment, spillover, and management”. The broader project is led by Principal Investigator Dr. Maria Diuk-Wasser (Columbia University), with collaborative project leadership across partner institutions.
The postdoctoral fellow will work under the supervision of the Dr. Thilina Surasinghe and collaborate with project personnel and student trainees on a multi-year study integrating field surveys, laboratory data, open biodiversity data, and quantitative modeling to examine distributions and drivers of white-tailed deer and other wildlife hosts relevant to tick-borne disease ecology.
Primary responsibilities will include:
coordinating and participating in fieldwork across multiple sites in Greater Boston;
deploying and maintaining automated trail cameras and audiomoth;
conducting small-mammal surveys and tick collections;
collecting small-mammal tissue samples under approved protocols;
training and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students
developing multi-species, dynamic occupancy models and related spatial models of host distributions and environmental drivers;
contributing to peer-reviewed manuscripts and presenting results at regional and national scientific meetings.
Required qualifications:
Ph.D. in ecology, wildlife biology, epidemiology, quantitative biology, biostatistics, or a closely related field;
strong quantitative background, including experience with hierarchical or occupancy-type models;
strong programming skills in R; additional experience in Python and Julia is useful;
demonstrated ability to conduct fieldwork in variable conditions and coordinate multi-site ecological sampling;
evidence of independent research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications;
Preferred qualifications:
experience with camera-trap and passive acoustic study design and analysis;
experience with small-mammal or bird mist-netting, handling, and biosafety;
experience with tick collection, tick identification, and host-associated sampling workflows;
experience with geo-spatial analysis
experience with Bayesian hierarchical modeling, multi-species models, and/or dynamic occupancy models;
The appointment is full-time. The initial appointment is for one year and may be renewed annually for up to five years total, contingent on continued funding and satisfactory performance.
To apply, visit https://jobs.bridgew.edu/postings/33045 and submit (1) a cover letter describing relevant experience and research interests, (2) a CV, and (3) contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin mid-August and continue until the position is filled. Preferred start date: Jan 2027.
Questions may be directed to tsurasinghe@bridgew.edu
M.S. Graduate Assistantship in Urban Wildlife Ecology
A funded M.S. Graduate Assistantship is available in the Surasinghe Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences, Bridgewater State University, MA. The masters student will contribute to an NSF EEID-funded project examining urban wildlife ecology, host–vector interactions, and tick-borne disease risk across urbanization gradients in southeastern Massachusetts.
The student will develop an M.S. thesis focused on urban wildlife ecology, with emphasis on modeling wildlife occurrence, relative abundance, habitat use, and community patterns across urban and peri-urban landscapes. The project will use camera-trap and ARU (audiomoth) data, environmental and landscape covariates, and quantitative ecological models to evaluate how urbanization influences wildlife activity and distribution. The student will also contribute to the broader project by helping integrate wildlife monitoring with tick, landscape, and disease-risk datasets.
Responsibilities will include fieldwork in the Greater Boston region, deployment and maintenance of trail cameras, data organization and quality control, camera-image processing, GIS/spatial data preparation, statistical modeling in R, and preparation of a masters thesis, manuscripts, and conference presentations. The student will also collaborate with undergraduate and other graduate students in the lab, the postdoctoral researcher, and project collaborators (Columbia Uni, Boston Uni, Tuft Uni, Uni of Sussex/Bath).
Applicants should have a strong academic background in wildlife ecology, urban ecology, quantitative ecology, landscape ecology, or a related field. Prior experience with fieldwork, camera traps, ARUs, GIS, R, or statistical modeling is desirable. Strong applicants will be organized, reliable, willing to conduct fieldwork under variable conditions, and interested in developing both field and analytical skills.
The assistantship is expected to begin in January 2027 (Thru Dec 2028, for two years) in Biology M.S. program.
Interested students should send a single PDF containing:
a brief statement of interest describing research interests, relevant experience, and career goals;
a CV;
unofficial transcripts; and
contact information for two or three references.
Please send materials or questions to:
Dr. Thilina Surasinghe
Department of Biological Sciences
Bridgewater State University
Email: tsurasinghe@bridgew.edu
Review of inquiries will begin in early Oct and continue until the position is filled. Prospective students are encouraged to contact Dr. Surasinghe before submitting a formal application to the BSU Biology M.S. program.