Postdoctoral Research Position: Geospatial mobility, borders & genetics

The MOBOGEN project (Data-Driven Modeling of Mobility, Borders, and Genetics) at Washington University in St. Louis invites applicants for a transdisciplinary post-doctoral position in the area of geospatial modeling of human mobility for an expected one-year appointment beginning January 1st, 2024, with possible extension to two or more years.  The successful candidate will be appointed as a research fellow in the Spatial Analysis, Interpretation, and Exploration laboratory, saielab.wustl.edu, PI: M. Frachetti (Anthropology) and be affiliated with the Borders and Territory research group in the Department of Political Science (D.B. Carter), Multimodal Vision Research Lab (MVRL) in Computer Science (PI: N. Jacobs) and the Transdisciplinary Institute in Applied Data Sciences (TRIADS) at Washington University in St. Louis.

The MOBOGEN pilot project is an exciting transdisciplinary research collaboration that integrates computational modeling, geospatial analysis, political science, and anthropological genomics to study multi-scalar trajectories of human mobility, border formation, and long-term population dynamics in both modern and archaeological contexts.  The post-doctoral fellow will have the opportunity to participate in the full range of research objectives related to the MOBOGEN project, an annual symposia sponsored by TRIADS, and to contribute to project-related article(s) and the preparation of downstream grant applications.

Fellows will receive a competitive salary which includes full postdoctoral benefits. Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of postdoctoral benefits. Office and lab facilities will be in the Department of Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis.

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

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Qualifications

We seek a computationally oriented and intellectually flexible scholar whose Ph.D. integrates skills from disciplines such as Geography, Anthropology, Political Science, Computer Science, Biology, Environmental Studies, and/or others. The ideal candidate should demonstrate methodological hybridity and expertise in some combination of following: 1) Advanced geospatial modeling; a strong understanding of 2) Human genomics; 3) Geopolitical history.  The ability to work with the combination of historical maps and large geo-spatial data resources is important as well.  Competency in bio-statistical modeling or other statistical methods is a plus.  Eligible candidates should have completed their Ph.D. before the start date.

Application Instructions

Interested individuals are asked to submit the following documents: (i) Cover letter describing your academic experience and motivation for participating in the project (2-3 pages); (ii) Curriculum vitae; (iii) Abstract of the PhD dissertation; (iv) A single writing sample: e.g. a paper that has been published or accepted for publication (no more than 30 pages); (v) Two letters of recommendation. Materials should be uploaded via Interfolio here: apply.interfolio.com/131405. Review of applications will begin November 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is closed.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to Michael Frachetti (frachetti@wustl.edu).