Job Opportunity at WEHI: COVID-19 Modeler Research Assistant

An excellent opportunity exists for an COVID-19 / Infectious Disease Modeler Research Officer to join the Population Health and Immunity Division.

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 Doherty Institute COVID-19 Modelling Team led by Prof. Jodie McVernon. The closely collaborating Doherty COVID-19 modelling teams utilise interdisciplinary approaches to investigate the epidemiology of COVID-19 transmission, acquisition and waning of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired immunity to SARS-CoV2 to predicted burden of COVID-19 disease, health systems utilisation and work absenteeism drawing on tools from (clinical) epidemiology, immunology as well as statistical and mathematical modelling. The results of these scenario models have been used to inform COVID-19 policies in Australia as well as in South Pacific countries. Within the collaborating team, Prof Mueller directs research on using agent-based mathematical models of SARS-Cov-2 transmission that include accurate age-structures, mobility/contract matrices, vaccine distribution schedule and a variety of other public health and social measures (PHSMs). The team has applied these models to determine vaccine thresholds for reopening Australia, design Australian vaccine booster programs and predict the impact of the Omicron wave on workplace absenteeism. The models are also applied to the COVID-19 situation in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and French Polynesia.
To strengthen our COVID-19 modelling team we are looking for a MSc/BSc Honours-level modelling research assistant (RA) with a background in mathematics, computer science, physics, etc. to help us with running extensive sets of COVID-19 scenario models for Australia and neighbouring Pacific and Asian countries. A particular focus will be on models aiming to predict and mitigate future COVID-19 waves. The RA will work closely with 3 post-doctoral modellers that develop models and lead scenario implementations and be responsible for both running models and data processing of model outputs.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Personal qualities
• Experience with programming, model development and data processsing.
• 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
• MSc or BSc Honours in one of the following areas: mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, theoretical biology/ecology, epidemiology or a similarly quantitative discipline.
• A strong interest in infectious disease epidemiology.
• Knowledge of a statistical programming language (preferably R).
• Programming experience in C++, Julia, Python or Java.
• Ability to collate, analyse and present results to a high standard.
• An excellent academic record and achievements

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
This position is available for initially 1 year in a full- or part time capacity. Potential to renew for another 1-2 years. Salary is Academic Level A3 or A4 ($80,561-$84,693). 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