An opportunity is available for an Infectious Disease Modeler Research Officer to join the Population Health and Immunity Division at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About the position

The position is based within the laboratory of Professor Ivo Mueller in the Population Health and Immunity Division and will collaborate with The Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Analytics Unit at Institut Pasteur in Paris. The closely collaborating teams utilise interdisciplinary approaches to investigate the epidemiology of malaria transmission, drawing on tools from molecular biology, immunology, (clinical) epidemiology as well as statistical and mathematical modelling. Within the collaborating team, Dr Michael White directs research on statistical and mathematical modelling. The team boasts world leading expertise in the epidemiology of P. vivax malaria and works actively with collaborators in study sites in Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil and Peru.

The Supporting Preparedness in the Asia-Pacific Region through Knowledge (SPARK) project is directed by Prof Jodie McVernon (Doherty Institute & University of Melbourne) and Prof Ivo Mueller (The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute & Institut Pasteur). The project will provide capacity building support to countries across the Asia-Pacific through a participatory approach focused on the generation, synthesis and effective use of knowledge for public health and policy preparedness and response to infectious diseases. The SPARK project brings together a multi-disciplinary team of epidemiologists, modelers, statisticians, decision and data scientists, health systems experts and health economists and will establish three quantitative epidemiology and infectious disease modelling hubs in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. Using malaria as a case study, the team will develop and apply innovative statistical methods and mathematical models to inform malaria control and elimination efforts in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Cambodia, and ensure sustainable in-country expertise to support their use.

We are seeking a candidate to work on the development of mathematical models of P. vivax malaria transmission and perform statistical analyses of data from National Malaria Control Programs.

Selection Criteria

Personal qualities

Research experience of working with mathematical and/or statistical models.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent attention to detail, ensuring that data, new methods and theories are accurate, of high-quality and accessible to other researchers
Proven interpersonal and collaborative skills in achieving research outcome
Experience in communicating research findings to a non-specialist audience.
Knowledge and skills

PhD in one of the following areas: infectious disease epidemiology, population biology, mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science or a similarly quantitative discipline.
A strong interest in infectious disease epidemiology.
Knowledge of a statistical programming language (preferably R).
Programming experience in C, C++ or Java.
Ability to collate and analyse data, interpret and present results to a high standard using a range of specialised research techniques.
An excellent academic record and achievements
Research experience that has resulted in publications, conference papers or reports

Terms of appointment

This position is available for 2 years in a full time capacity. Salary is Academic Level A6 – A8 ($90,053-$96,661). Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.

General enquiries can be directed to Prof Ivo Mueller mueller@wehi.edu.au