The Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) are hiring an epidemiological scientist on a fixed 3-year contract to work on the epidemiology and molecular phylogeography of Johne’s disease (Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis) in Ireland as part of the all-island NexusMAP project.

The candidate will be embedded within the epidemiology group in the bacteriology branch based at Stormont, Belfast, but the successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with project partners (NexusMAP partners include University College Dublin, Cork Institute of Technology, Teagasc).
More information about on-going research in the bacteriology branch can be found here: https://www.afbini.gov.uk/articles/bacteriology-research
AFBI researchgate profile can be found here: https://www.researchgate.net/institution/Agri-Food_and_Biosciences_Institute

NexusMAP is a multi-centre project on Johne's disease on the island of Ireland and is lead by University College Dublin (Ireland). This position will be centred around work package 2 of this project, specifically to contribute:
● To integrate whole genome sequencing (WGS) of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) with animal movement and health databases to investigate spatial and temporal dynamics of Johne’s disease (JD) transmission in Ireland.
● Undertake risk factor (RF) analyses and adapt existing models to test JD management intervention scenarios in silico.

The candidate should have experience in handling large and complex datasets, and have an ability to undertake advanced modelling approaches using modern statistical and data management tools (e.g. stata, R, Python). A PhD is not essential. However for candidates without a PhD, only those with a MSc in the field of epidemiology/disease ecology/modelling and proven record of independent research will be considered.

Wage: £29,317 to £31,446 per annum (approximately: €33,500-€36,000).