The Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia is one of the largest scientific research centres in sub-Saharan Africa, with an international reputation for ground-breaking research into some of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the tropics. Our overall goal is to improve the health of people in developing countries by aiming for excellence in research, healthcare, and training. Our research program spans basic scientific research, clinical studies, epidemiological studies and intervention trials, and translational research. The field and laboratory-based work draws on excellent research and clinical facilities and attracts international funding.

Applications are invited for a research fellow to join a new team that will develop an ecosystem of free, open-source R software tools for outbreak analytics, to support global preparedness and response. The role will be part of the major new ‘Epiverse’ initiative at LSHTM, a joint collaboration between researchers in London and The Gambia supported by data.org, which builds on previous policy-relevant analysis for outbreaks such as COVID-19 and Ebola within our Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases (CMMID), and analytics development programmes such as the R Epidemics Consortium and EpiForecasts.

The post-holder will join a successful and supportive team of the Data Science Cluster at MRCG and CMMID at LSHTM working on a range of infections, including Ebola, measles, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, with scope to lead a range of data science projects, in collaboration with colleagues at LSHTM and external partners. It is expected that the project will involve a range of complex and collaborative work that requires a high degree of personal motivation.

The successful applicant will have a PhD or equivalent research experience in statistics, epidemiology or another relevant discipline with a strong quantitative component. Candidates should also demonstrate experience in data science, preferably of epidemic-prone infections. Further particulars are included in the attached job description.

The post is full time 35 hours per week, 1.0 FTE and fixed-term until 31 August 2024 with a possibility of extension subject to funding. The post is funded by the New Venture fund.

The salary will be on the Academic Pathways salary Grade 6 in the range of £41,829 - £47,503 per annum (inclusive). The post is subject to 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. A package of overseas allowances is available including allowance for accommodation. The post is available immediately and will be based in The Gambia.

Applications should be made on-line via our website at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. 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 MRC-MRC-2022-09.

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.