The post
Pneumococcus is the most common cause of bloodstream infections, pneumonia, middle ear infections and meningitis in children. We would like to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our interdisciplinary team and work on an exciting project within the Transmission Of Pneumococcus (TOP) study. TOP is a large multi-centre study, running in 5 UK cities collecting key data on social contact patterns, rates and density of bacterial carriage and Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) status. The aim is to elucidate the nature of transmission and its relationship with carriage density, vaccination status and social contacts. The study will assess the potential for influenza vaccine programmes to impact rates of carriage of pneumococcus and other bacterial infections in the general population.

The post is co-funded by industry and charity and is available from January 2018 for a duration of 18 months. The successful applicant will analyse longitudinal social contact patterns of participants, perform statistical analyses of study lab data and develop mathematical models to determine the relationship between pneumococcus carriage density and transmission, informed by study data. Work on the project will involve liaising with key stakeholders, dissemination, producing the final report for project partners and writing and contributing to papers for peer review publication, as well as presenting key results to policy decision makers.

About you
The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants should possess a PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in infectious disease modelling, complex networks, and/or statistics and a keen interest in interdisciplinary science and vaccine-preventable diseases. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in one of these subject areas and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Experience of developing code is essential, and experience in R and/or C++ is highly desirable. The post-holder will gain strong interdisciplinary experience in contact patterns, mathematical modelling and microbiology, as well as freedom to pursue own directions and ideas.

The post is funded for 18 months with the possibility of extension, dependent on further funding.

What we can offer you:

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research.
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly.
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career.
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

For further information about the position, contact Dr. Leon Danon (l.danon@exeter.ac.uk) (01392) 723559.