In the early stages of a major disease outbreak, the availability of suitable diagnostic tests is often limited, however, timely interventions are critical for controlling the spread of disease. In this PhD, you will develop mechanistic and statistical models to investigate the effectiveness of various diagnostic test deployment strategies for emerging and zoonotic diseases which are at risk of causing large outbreaks, such as respiratory viruses (Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, Respiratory syncytial virus), vector-borne diseases (Dengue, Tick-borne encephalitis) or viral haemorrhagic fevers (Nipah, Lassa fever and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever). You will investigate the effectiveness of targeting use of tests in different settings, for example in areas of high versus low transmission, or in hospitals versus the community. The optimum strategy for diagnostic test deployment will vary depending on prevalence of disease, the sensitivity and specificity of the tests and the time it takes to receive and act on results. In addition, variation between pathogens, for example, in their mode of transmission, reproduction number and incubation period, will influence which strategy is the most effective in controlling the impact of the outbreak. These insights will inform stockpiling strategies of medical countermeasures for pandemic preparedness and in the event of a major outbreak, can be used and adapted to help inform decision making.
You will be part of a supportive and stimulating research environment at the University of Liverpool, with Dr Emily Nixon as your primary supervisor, with additional supervision from Professor Christl Donnelly (Department of Statistics, University of Oxford), Dr Emily Adams (Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford) and Dr Richard Vipond (UK Health Security Agency). This studentship will be for a maximum of 3.5 years duration starting in October 2025; it includes fees at the UK/home rate, stipend, and research-related travel.
Applicants must hold, in a relevant STEM subject, either a first-class honours degree, a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the primary supervisor, Dr Emily Nixon, emily.nixon@liverpool.ac.uk prior to preparation of an application to discuss the fit of the project with your background and qualifications.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a world leading team delivering research that is relevant to public health in the UK. This PhD opportunity is funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections (EZI). The successful candidate will therefore join the NIHR HPRU-EZI. Further details about the benefits of being an NIHR funded PhD student are included at the end of the project’s listing on the university website.