Postdoctoral Research Associate-Epidemiology

May 14, 2015 | Past opportunities

Application Procedure

Applications should comprise:

  • A completed applicant information form
  • A copy of your full curriculum vitae
  • A statement indicating the reasons for applying for this post and how your training and experience is relevant.

If you have any particular requirements should you be invited to interview, please make this clear in your application.

Detailed application procedures and further contacts are available on the University of Liverpool Current Vacancies site (https://www.liv.ac.uk/working/jobvacancies/currentvacancies/)

THIS OPPORTUNITY IS NOW CLOSED – Thanks for your interest

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – EPIDEMIOLOGY

(job ref R-587661 at the University of Liverpool, UK)

We are seeking a postdoctoral epidemiologist to join our team based jointly between the Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, and the International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.

The position would be employed by the Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty Heath and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, and be primarily based at ILRI in Nairobi.

Salary: Depending on qualifications and experience

Range: £32,277 to £37,394 pa (Grade 7)

Location: International Livestock Research Institute campus

Hours of work: Full-Time

Interview Date:  To be confirmed

Closing Date:  19 October 2014

 

The Post 
The Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, one of three departments within the Institute of Infection and Global Health, invites applications for a post-doctoral epidemiologist position for the research study entitled “Epidemiology, ecology and socio-economics of disease emergence in Nairobi” which is funded by the Medical Research Council and other RCUK funders (BBSRC, NERC, ESRC) under the Environmental and Social Ecology of Human Infectious Diseases Initiative.  The project is institutionally based at the University of Liverpool, although much of the work and day-to-day activity is centred on the city of Nairobi, in Kenya, and based out of our collaborative partner’s campus, the International Livestock Research Institute (www.ilri.org).  The project is a multi-partner activity, involving five research partners in the UK and 4 research partners in Kenya.  This position would be largely (90%) based in Nairobi, Kenya, within the PIs joint Liverpool-ILRI team, consisting of 4 PhD students, 6 MSc students and 10 technical and administrative staff.You will be accountable to Professor Eric Fèvre who is the Principal Investigator for this Programme.  Currently Professor Fèvre is also based in Nairobi with the project team.  You will be granted Visiting Scientist status at the International Livestock Research Institute, a status which will allow you, as a University of Liverpool staff member, to work in Kenya in collaboration with ILRI and to establish yourself locally (permits, allowances for importing personal belongings free of duty, purchasing a personal vehicle).  The post includes an overseas support package (e.g. relocation allowance, housing allowance and international health insurance benefits).

You will be expected to work independently and to report regularly to Professor Eric Fèvre. You will be responsible for the implementation, organisation, co-ordination, documentation, planning and supervision of the “UrbanZoo 99 household sub-project” and will manage data collection and curation, determining and carrying out appropriate statistical analysis, and producing reports and papers for publication in peer reviewed journals. This position will lead to a number of scientific outputs, and will require excellent scientific management and co-ordination skills.  You will be adept at working under field conditions.  You will be required to liaise with healthcare professionals, academics, study participants, policy makers and civil servants and other groups as needed as well as with the Project Manager and Field Co-ordinator for the study to ensure delivery of the activity on time and on budget.  Excellent organisational skills, coupled with highly developed communication, relationship building and teamwork skills are therefore essential qualities for this post.

You should have a PhD in Epidemiology or a closely related subject and practical experience of working as an Applied Epidemiologist under field conditions.

You will be responsible for a range of tasks, including, but not limited to:

  •  Developing the study protocol ensuring compliance with all ethical and governance requirements
  • Drafting applications to the Human Research Ethics Review Board and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
  • Establishing and maintaining links with all relevant professionals required to deliver the research project on time and on budget
  • Working closely with project partners in Nairobi’s local authorities to assist with recruitment of individuals to participate in the project, while being guided by the project sample frame.
  • Managing the electronic data gathering system used by the project (Open Data Kit, ODK)
  • Regularly ensuring data integrity and developing and implementing data quality control procedures
  • Taking part in project related research meetings and project management activities
  • Creating a fluid working interface between the field activities and the laboratory activities in the project
  • Take a leading role in determining and conducting appropriate quantitative analyses of the field and laboratory data, and ensuring suitable interpretation of the data.
  • Take a leading role in the drafting of scientific publications; this will involve cross-disciplinary working with other epidemiologists, economists, microbiologists, geneticists, urban planners, social scientists, veterinarians and public health specialists.
  • Producing reports, statistics and charts using the research databases and spreadsheets for relevant audiences
  • Assisting the Project Manager with preparing updates for project partners on a regular basis, including proof-reading content of public dissemination activities (eg project newsletter) and managing the public face of the project through various electronic media.
  • Ensuring Professor Fèvre is regularly informed of study progress
  • Organising, attending and presenting findings at study meetings and/or meetings with the External Advisory Group as appropriate
  • Representing the project with policy and implementation partners in Kenya
  • Representing the project with the funders where appropriate
  • Working closely with the Project Manager to ensure successful delivery of the “99 household study” on time and on budget
  • Participate in the wider academic life of the study team
  • Contributing to appropriate interim and final reports for the funding body
  • Producing peer-reviewed publications
  • Presenting findings at national and international conferences and to other appropriate audiences
  • Developing research ideas and contributing to writing bids for further research grant funding
  • Degree and PhD with relevant experience in a Health Sciences and Epidemiology or equivalent research experience
  • Competent in research, and have a sound competency in developing and evaluating research methods
  • Competency in and experience of statistical packages e.g. R, STATA or SPSS
  • An understanding of the management and analysis of spatially explicit datasets
  • Experienced in handling and analysing large epidemiological datasets, particularly in using quantitative statistical methods
  • Experience of questionnaire survey design
  • Experience of research ethics and governance procedures, including preparing applications
  • Track record of writing reports and academic papers
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work both independently and as a member of an inter-disciplinary scientific team
  • Ability to prioritise and organise own workload and to work to strict deadlines
  • Capacity to give meticulous attention to detail, and consistent quality assurance
  • A proactive and flexible approach to work and a willingness to undertake new tasks, undergo training and learn new skills as required, particularly in response to changing office technology and project development
  • Ability to use discretion with sensitive information and to maintain complete confidentiality at all times
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Team player
  • Willingness to be based effectively full time in Kenya, in a supportive research environment
  • Ability and willingness to travel within the study site with the project team and across collaborative organisations as required.

The Zoonotic and Emerging Disease group studies a range of epidemiological issues revolving around the domestic livestock, wildlife and human interface

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Shares
    Share This