Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world’s leading public health universities. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

We invite applications for a Research Fellow to work on mathematical modelling of infectious diseases, as part of a project ‘Building an epidemiological toolkit for pandemic preparedness’, funded by UKRI, in a collaboration between LSHTM (Prof. Simon Frost, Dr. Rosalind Eggo) and the University of Swansea (Prof. Michael Gravenor, Prof. Ashley Akbari). Specifically, the post entails using applied category theory to build modular, reusable epidemiological models, combining these models with decision theory models so as to improve how models inform policy. Applications of this research will be demonstrated through models of measles virus and SARS-CoV-2, parameterised using detailed epidemiological and demographic data from the SAIL Databank.

The successful applicant will require a postgraduate degree, ideally a doctoral degree, in a relevant topic along with relevant experience in mathematical modelling of dynamical systems, and good programming skills. Experience in one or more of the following is desirable; applied category theory; decision theory and mathematical optimization; and programming in Julia. Further particulars are included in the job description.

The post is full-time 35 hours per week, 1.0 FTE and fixed-term until 30 June 2027. The post is funded by UKRI and is available from 01 July 2024.

The salary will be on the Academic Pathway salary scale Grade 6 in the range £43,947 - £49,908 per annum (inclusive of London Weighting). The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service. Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year, pro rata for part-time staff. In addition to this there are discretionary “Wellbeing Days”. Membership of the Pension Scheme is available. The post is based in London at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Applications should be made on-line via our jobs website. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until 10pm of the closing date. Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk. Please quote reference EPH-EPED-2024-13.

The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience and training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. An answer to any of the criteria such as "Please see attached CV" will not be considered acceptable.

Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, successful, and happier at work. While we have more work to do, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace, a community that everyone feels a part of, which is safe, respectful, supportive and enables all to reach their full potential.