The research conducted during the PhD will be aimed to:

• improve methods for assessing the risks of mosquito-borne infections;
• quantify the effectiveness of alternative interventions, both existing and prospective, in reducing mosquito populations and/or disease transmission;
• support public health decision makers in preparedness against emerging and re-emerging mosquito-borne infectious threats;
• improve scientific knowledge through the publication of high-impact papers.
  A large wealth of data, collected by Italian and international leaders in entomological and public health surveillance, will be made available to support and calibrate next-generation models of mosquito-borne infectious diseases.

The ideal candidate should have:

• a strong quantitative background (mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, or similar)
• experience in modelling applied to epidemiology or biological systems;
• programming experience in C and R (or an equivalent interpreted language).

The scholarship will take place at the Center for Health Emergencies of the Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento (Stefano Merler), in close collaboration with the University La Sapienza, Rome (prof. Alessandra Dellatorre), within the newly established national graduate school "One Health Approaches to Infectious Diseases and Life Science Research", hosted by the University of Pavia. The graduate school has been designed to have a strong interdisciplinary approach and involves all the most important Italian institutions in the field of human and veterinary health.

The research will take place in a friendly, inclusive and cooperative work environment.
The position will be based in Trento, a charming mountain town with top ratings in Italy for quality of life.