The Institute for Global Health (IGH) at University College London invites applications for a postdoctoral (or very near postdoctoral) research position in social networks and health. This position is part of a five-year project funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society to understand how the social networks of young rural South Africans affect their sexual behaviours and risk of acquiring HIV, and to develop network-informed interventions to lower HIV incidence. The project is funded as a fellowship to Dr. Guy Harling.

The postholder will conduct quantitative data analysis on social networks and health based on a sociocentric cohort study of youth and their contacts in rural KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, in collaboration with Dr. Harling and multidisciplinary team of collaborators. This will include statistical analysis building on theories of behaviour change and diffusion of innovations including social norms theory and rooted in an understanding of the social dynamics of the study area. The ideal candidate will have experience in conducting egocentric, static (e.g., Autologistic Actor Attribute Models) or dynamic (e.g., stochastic actor-based models) sociocentric network analysis. There is also potential for involvement in aspects of primary data collection, including qualitative work and a planned intervention feasibility study.

The successful applicant will work between IGH and the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in South Africa. The project will require extended travel to AHRI, and there may be potential to be based in either London or South Africa for some of the employment. The post holder will be supported to develop their career, including through development of new skills and through fellowship and grant writing. Input into supervision of junior colleagues will be actively encouraged, as is involvement in the academic communities at both institutions.

The position is available for two years in the first instance, start date is negotiable.