A postdoctoral position in mathematical/statistical modelling of dengue at Institut Pasteur, Paris

Environment
The Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit at Institut Pasteur was created in 2013. The research focus of the Unit is to develop state-of-the-art mathematical and statistical methods to tackle the many challenges epidemiologists and microbiologists face when analysing infectious disease data.

Our primary focus is the study of infectious disease dynamics, both in long-term endemic settings and in outbreaks. We aim to better understand how pathogens spread in human populations with a view to support policy-making and optimize control strategies. These analyses benefit from a strong network of collaborators in the field (in particular within the large International Network of Pasteur Institutes that consist of 34 institutes spread across the world) but also of strong connections with other Centres of Excellence in mathematical modelling. Our approach is therefore highly multidisciplinary, looking at infectious diseases through multiple perspectives (epidemiology, surveillance, Public Health, policy making, microbiology), multiple scales and multiple data streams.

Job description
We are seeking a postdoc to work on a portfolio of research projects associated with the antigenic and genetic diversity of dengue viruses. The project, funded by the NIH, represents a collaboration between Institut Pasteur, the University of Florida, Cambridge University, Johns Hopkins University, the National Institutes of Health and the Armed forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Thailand. The postdoc will mainly work with Dr. Henrik Salje, based at Institut Pasteur but will also involve close collaboration with Dr. Derek Cummings at the University of Florida. There will also be opportunities to work with other members of the project. The portfolio of work will include the development of mathematical and statistical models to analyse antigenic and genetic dengue data from Thailand. The exact projects the successful applicants will undertake will be determined in discussion with the team, taking into account the applicants’ interests and experience.

Applicants will initially be given a one-year contract with possibility to extend, should both parties agree.
Interested candidates should email Henrik Salje (henrik.salje@pasteur.fr) with a CV and statement of interest. The deadline for applications is 15 April 2018.
Salary: Depending on education and experience.
Location: Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.

Person specification:
• Research experience of working with mathematical and/or statistical models.
• A strong interest in infectious disease epidemiology.
• Ability to collate and analyse data, interpret and present results to a high standard using a range of specialised research techniques.
• Ideally, programming experience in C, C++ or Java.
• Good knowledge of R
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. The working language of the laboratory is English.
• Experience in communicating research findings to a non-specialist audience.
• Ability to work independently but also as part of a larger interdisciplinary research team.
• PhD in one of the following areas: infectious disease epidemiology, mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, population biology or a similarly quantitative discipline.