THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form

Job Title:Research Associate/Fellow in Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases

School/Department:School of Veterinary Medicine & Science

Salary:£25,013 - £36,661 per annum, depending on skills and experience (£28,132 per annum minimum with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Job Family and Level:Research & Teaching level 4CTG/4

Contract Status:Fixed-term until 31/12/17

Hours of Work: Full-time

Location:Sutton Bonington campus

Reporting to:Dr Michael Tildesley

Purpose of the New Role:Research

Main Responsibilities / % time per year
1. / To conduct research at the highest level in accordance with the aims and objectives of the project and produce useful outputs of impact that lead to peer-reviewed publications of international quality. / 80%
2. / To contribute to research supervision and training of undergraduates and postgraduates, and to contribute to the development of the research group and the School. / 5%
3. / To operate as an effective team player within the group and to be accountable to the line manager on the progress and daily running of the project. / 5%
4. / To contribute to administrative work related to the research group. / 5%
5. / To update professional skills as appropriate and relevant in support of research excellence. / 5%

Job Description

The post is funded by the BBSRC. The project will utilise mathematical models to determine optimal controlpolicies in the event of outbreaks of infectious disease.In particular, the successful candidate will develop a structured decision-making framework for evaluatingand updating management policies in the light of competing, dynamic epidemic models. We will develop thisframework in the context of a very specific agricultural health setting, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The2001 UK FMD epidemic provides a comprehensive data set that will allow us to implement detailed analysesof optimal control in the presence of uncertainty. However, we will also use generic, theoretical models ofspatial epidemic dynamics to study more generally the impact of uncertainty on the outbreak response andthe ability to develop responsive control strategies. In doing so, we will develop algorithms and software tostudy generic questions about optimal response to spatial epidemics that can be applied to agricultural,veterinary-health (and human health) management in a variety of settings.

In addition to the research outlined above, the post will include collaboration with policy makers in the UK and the USA as optimal strategies for disease control are developed. The successful applicant will be able topresent information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writingand electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications/Education /
  • Phd (or equivalent) in veterinary epidemiology, statistics, epidemiology, mathematical modelling or associated discipline
  • Undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in veterinary medicine, biology, applied mathematics or associated discipline
/
  • Masters degree (or equivalent) or equivalent in veterinary epidemiology, statistics, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, mathematical modelling or associated discipline
  • At least 1 year post-doctoral research experience.

Skills/Training /
  • Knowledge and experience of research in mathematical modelling of livestock diseases
  • An excellent understanding of infection dynamics in foot-and-mouth diseases in livestock.
  • Ability to manage and analysis large, complex data sets.
  • Ability to produce detailed reports summarising results of complex mathematical models, and to communicate results to international policy makers.
  • Ability to translate science into language useful and understandable for lay audiences and stakeholders of the funding body.
/
  • An understanding of statistics and epidemiology including experience in Bayesian methodology.

Experience /
  • Previous experience within a research team and formal reporting of science to a lay and scientific audience. Previous experience of writing peer reviewed papers
  • Specific experience in mathematical modelling of livestock diseases.
  • Excellent command of the English language, spoken and written
  • Excellent communication skills and experience of working in a professional team.
  • Experience in managing and working with a variety of different stakeholders
/
  • Previous experience of collaboration with field-based livestock disease experts and policy makers working on contingency planning for future foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.

Statutory/Legal
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