The Department of Veterinary Diagnostics and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) is seeking a candidate for a Graduate Research Assistantship to work towards a Master of Science degree in Veterinary Preventive Medicine focused on developing data-rich client reports and building automation infrastructure to support this effort.
The selected candidate will lead a computationally intensive project aimed at automating data reporting processes. The primary objective is to develop an automated system capable of generating detailed, on-demand reports tailored to production systems. These reports will provide insights into the genetic relationships of viral disease strains within a given system. The candidate will collaborate closely with both clients and the molecular section to refine the report’s structure, ensuring it delivers relevant and actionable information. A secondary project will be determined once the candidate has acclimated.
In addition to research responsibilities, the candidate will contribute 20 hours of service per week to the diagnostic laboratory. The duties for this position include the creation and distribution of client reports, and providing programmatic support for needs of the molecular section. These service duties come with a stipend and tuition coverage.
The Master's degree will follow a four-chapter thesis format as outlined at: VDPAM MSc Degree Thesis Option. As a graduate student, the candidate must complete required coursework and maintain good academic standing as specified in the VDPAM Graduate Program Handbook.
Required Qualifications
• Strong programming skills with proficiency in multiple languages, particularly Python and R
• Practical experience with Linux and competency in Windows Command Line or PowerShell
• Demonstrated ability in technical writing
• U.S. citizenship preferred.
• In-person position with no remote option
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience analyzing genetic sequence data
• Knowledge of phylogenetic methods and their applications
• Proficiency in additional programming languages such as Java, PHP, or JavaScript
• Strong interpersonal skills for client interactions
Please contact Michael Zeller at mazeller@iastate.edu.