I am looking for a postdoc for my new lab at Stockholm University
to work on the project"Dynamic interactions between host social
behavior and parasite virulence".

This position is part of a larger research project that aims to
provide integrated theoretical and empirical tests of the dynamic
interactions between host social behavior, parasite transmission,
and virulence evolution.  Using a small fish - the guppy - and its
parasites, we have run experimental epidemics in host populations
that differ in their social behavior. Phenotypic and genomic data
from this large-scale experiment, along with mathematical models,
will generate refined theoretical predictions that we will test in
natural Trinidadian stream communities. Using our experiment, model,
and field sampling, we will test how host social behavior: 1) shapes
the size and structure of parasite populations; 2) drives parasite
virulence evolution; 3) responds to an outbreak to slow its spread.
Such an integrative approach is essential and will identify and
evaluate general ecological and evolutionary mechanisms by which
host social behavior and parasite virulence interact across systems:
it has substantial relevance for infectious disease management
across species including humans.

The postdoc will work collaboratively with other members of the
project team who will be based primarily at the University of
Pittsburgh, the University of Texas at El Paso, and the University
of California, Berkeley.

Initially, the post doc will work on analysis of existing data from
experimental epidemics of the parasiteGyrodactylus turnbulliin
groups of Trinidadian guppiesPoecilia reticulata. These data include
time series of parasite counts and social interactions from
individually identified fish throughout the course of epidemics.
Other data types include microbiome samples, female reproductive
status, and male ornamentation. There is scope to develop independent
research questions within the broader project, and potentially to
run additional experimental epidemics, experimental infections,
mathematical modelling, and/or fieldwork to test questions emerging
from the analysis.

More details and application instructions are here:
https://su.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:798807/where:4/

Please contact me for more information!

Jessica Stephenson
Tenured Researcher (starting 1st July 2025),
Department of Zoology,
Stockholm University,
Stockholm, Sweden
jfrstephenson@gmail.com

jfstephenson.com

Jessica Stephenson <jfrstephenson@gmail.com>

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