The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Postdoctoral Researcher on infectious disease modelling to work in an exciting, highly interdisciplinary project funded by the Wellcome Trust that aims to study the relative impacts of climate, land use, and demographic changes on the transmission patterns of selected mosquito-borne arboviral diseases in animals and humans.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR Research Centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Key responsibilities

The Post Doc will have sufficient knowledge on vector-borne diseases, infectious disease modelling, and applied computing to enable him/her to lead the development of robust prediction models that balances the need for simplicity and accuracy. Despite this expectation, the post doc will have opportunities to develop his/her skills further through training, mentorship or any other relevant competency development activities. The Post Doc will work in a multidisciplinary team of local and international researchers, and s/he will:

• set up research questions and analytical frameworks that will guide the development of dynamic models for studying transmission patterns of the vector-borne zoonotic diseases that have been prioritised for this work. The analytical frameworks will be developed in consultation with local and international partners and stakeholders
• develop process-based spatially explicit vector-host-pathogen mathematical or simulation models and link these with decision support frameworks where policy-relevant outputs such as dynamic risk maps are displayed
• apply statistical and computational methods to available primary and secondary data to generate input parameters for the dynamic models that will have been developed
• participate in webinars, conferences, journal clubs and stakeholder meetings where s/he will be expected to share research findings, lessons learnt, or new research leads based on the work s/he will be leading
• develop new research proposals in partnership with the project team members to extend the work s/he will be leading be given adequate opportunities to enrol for professional trainings to build their competencies on modelling and data science

Requirements

• A doctoral degree in epidemiology, applied statistics or public health in the previous 5 years from an accredited college or university
• PhD candidates who are at the final stages of their program (e.g. awaiting graduation) will also be considered
• Strong quantitative skills including statistical, systems dynamic, and simulation modelling
• Strong programming skills using the commonly used languages e.g. R, Python.
• A track record of publications. Higher weights will be allocated to publications where the candidate is the first author
• Excellent knowledge of the English language both in speaking and in writing.
• Experience on training and mentoring students, junior scientists or project partners
• Supervising the design and implementation of research projects

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 16, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical and other insurances.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Chief, People and Culture Officer through our recruitment portal by clicking on the “Apply Now“. Revisions of application will start 14 January 2025 and position will be closed when filled. The position title and reference number: PD-A/1705/2024 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer

More ILRI jobs

Subscribe by email to ILRI jobs alert