SMIDDY Newsletter (16.10.2013)

Topics:

1. SMIDDY 2013: Presentations online
2. PhD position: Quantitative T cell immunology modelling, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland
3. Postdocs: Two positions in mathematical/statistical modelling of infectious diseases, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
4. Two research positions: Modelling of Infectious Diseases, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
5. Postdoc: Theoretical Viral Ecology, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
6. Faculty positions: Disease Epidemiology, University of Notre Dame, USA

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1. SMIDDY 2013: Presentations online

The fourth Swiss Meeting for Infectious Disease Dynamics (SMIDDY) in Zurich was great success. You can find the presentation slides on the following website: http://smiddy.ch/smiddy-2013/program/

Next year’s meeting will be organized by the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) at the University of Bern.

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2. PhD position: Quantitative T cell immunology modelling, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland

Applications are invited for a three-year, generously salaried (39,983 Euro per annum), Ph.D. position in Mathematical Biology on the European Union Marie Curie Initial Training Network on Quantitative T Cell immunology (QUANTI).

The primary restrictions on candidature are: (1) to ensure the international character of the ITN project, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Ireland for more than 12 months in the last three years immediately prior to the date of selection; (2) candidates must not yet have been awarded the doctorate degree and must be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research career; (3) have a first class or higher second class degree (or equivalent) in a numerate discipline such as mathematics / statistics / computer science / engineering.

Formal details can be found in the official advertisement at http://humanresources.nuim.ie/documents/JobsSpec2Final.pdf Informal inquiries should be sent to: Ken Duffy (ken.duffy@nuim.ie).

The deadline for application is the 31st of October 2013, with an expected start date of 6th of January 2014.

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3. Postdocs: Two positions in mathematical/statistical modelling of infectious diseases, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France

Institut Pasteur is a non-profit private foundation dedicated to the study of biology, micro-organisms, diseases and vaccines. For over a century, the Institute has been at the forefront of the battle against infectious disease s. With 130 research laboratories and units, 20 National Reference Centres (in charge of disease surveillance in France) and a unique international network of 32 institutes that spread across five continents, Institut Pasteur is a unique environment to develop inter-disciplinary and translational research. Institut Pasteur’s campus is based in central Paris.

In November 2013, Institut Pasteur will welcome a new research Unit dedicated to the mathematical modelling of infectious diseases. The Unit will be directed by Dr Simon Cauchemez. Working at the frontier between Epidemiology, Microbiology and Public Health, and relying on sophisticated mathematical and statistical models, its aims are to improve the scientific understanding of infectious disease dynamics (within and between hosts), transmission and control. The very diverse set of outstanding competences at Institut Pasteur offers a unique opportunity to develop a multidisciplinary perspective on infectious disease modelling and construct the next generation of mathematic models that make best use of data gathered at very different scales (cellular, host, population). The Unit will also provide real-time analyses and support to decision makers during emerging infectious disease outbreaks.

As the Unit is created, Dr Cauchemez is seeking two postdocs (3-year contracts) to work on a portfolio of research projects. The postdocs will develop statistical and mathematical models to analyse a wide range of infectious disease data, in close collaboration with epidemiologists, virologists and microbiologists. The portfolio includes but is not limited to: i) model pathogen emergence and establishment / predict future emerging infectious diseases (with deep sequencing and detailed experimental data monitoring emergence in hosts); ii) develop tools for epidemiological risk assessment of emerging infectious diseases in a context where surveillance data are scarce and biased; iii) quantify the impact of interventions on transmission (e.g. estimating the impact of reactive school closures on influenza transmission from detailed spatial incidence and closure data in a Japanese city); iv) study the biological determinants of transmission (with large and detailed transmission studies where biological samples are available); v) model within-host spatiotemporal dynamics of invasive bacterial disease (with experimental data from animal models); and vi) develop tools for real-time outbreak analysis. The exact projects the successful applicants will undertake will be determined in discussion with Dr Cauchemez, taking into account the applicants interests and experience.

These positions have 3-year contracts. The annual gross salary is 31,356.

Interested candidates should contact Dr Simon Cauchemez (scauchemez@gmail.com ) with a CV, statement of interest and references.

Location: *Analysis and Modelling of Epidemic Dynamics Unit, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.

*Person specification:*

Essential
* Research experience of working with mathematical and/or statistical models.
* Ability to collate and analyse data, interpret and present results to a high standard using a range of specialised research techniques.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Experience in communicating research findings to a non-specialist audience.
* Ability to work independently but also as part of a larger interdisciplinary research team.
* PhD in one of the following areas: infectious disease epidemiology, mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, population biology or a similarly quantitative discipline.

Desirable
* Programming in C, C++ or Java.
* Knowledge of a statistical programming language (preferably R).

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4. Two research positions: Modelling of Infectious Diseases, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

Position 1:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly-motivated scientist to conduct research on the spread of infectious diseases using mathematical, statistical, and computational models. The growing capacity for typing and sequencing pathogens enables us to obtain more information about the transmission routes in human populations. The post-holder will lead the development of models to combine information from molecular sequences with epidemiological data. The models will help interpret data collected in the field or in the lab, and will lead to a rational basis for calculating the costs and benefits of interventions. The post is set within the Modelling Unit, however the post-holder will also work closely with colleagues in the various Laboratories and is expected to develop and maintain effective
collaborations with epidemiologists, microbiologists, health economists and policy-makers in a multi-disciplinary environment. The post-holder is expected to publish the methods developed and modelling results in high impact peer-reviewed scientific journals. There is also the opportunity to hold or establish an associated university position, and to set up a line of research.

Requirements

We welcome applications from ambitious scientists with a PhD degree in the physical sciences (such as physics, applied mathematics, computer science, mathematical biology, bioinformatics) who have experience in the field of infectious diseases epidemiology and are familiar with modern statistical methods for data analysis. The essential requirement is that you have the motivation and drive to combine relevant elements from both biological and computational disciplines to answer epidemiological questions that will improve public health. You must be willing to work as part of an international and multi-disciplinary scientific team, and you should be able to deal creatively with the rapid changes that occur within this dynamic research field.

Education:
University, PhD

Conditions
Salary scale 11, max 4.380 euro gross per month
Appointment for 1 year, with prospects of a contract for several years
minimal working hours per week 20
maximal working hours per week 40

More Information
dr. J Wallinga, head of the Unit for Modeling Infectious Diseases
office phone +31 30- 274 2553
Dr. MAB van der Sande, head of the Centre for Epidemiology and Surveillance
office phone + 31 30 ? 274 3770

Questions about the application procedure, and submission of application vacature@rivm.nl
Please mention the reference number EPI- 263

It is expected that this job will be advertised on the Dutch government jobs website (www.werkenvoornederland.nl/) around 10th October; the closing date will be around 20 days later.

Position 2:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly-motivated scientist to conduct research on the spread of infectious diseases using mathematical, statistical, and computational models. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens poses important new challenges for infectious disease control; the post-holder will develop models to inform the design and improvement of infection control, to calculate the costs and benefits of interventions, and to help interpret data collected in the field or in the lab. The post is set within the Modelling Unit, however the post-holder will also work closely with colleagues in the various Laboratories and is expected to develop and maintain effective collaborations with epidemiologists, microbiologists, health economists and policy-makers in a multi-disciplinary environment. The post-holder is expected to publish the methods developed and modelling results in high impact peer-reviewed scientific journals. There is also the opportunity to hold or establish an associated university position, so that the research results can contribute to a PhD thesis.

Requirements

We welcome applications from scientists with training in the biosciences at MSc level who have a proven interest in mathematical modelling, and from candidates with an MSc degree in the physical sciences (such as physics, mathematics or computer science) who have a proven interest in modelling the population dynamics of infectious diseases. The essential requirement is that you have the motivation and drive to combine relevant elements from both biological and computational disciplines to answer epidemiological questions that will improve public health. You must be willing to work as part of an international and multi-disciplinary scientific team, and you should be able to deal creatively with the rapid changes that occur within this dynamic research field.

Education:
University, MSc

Conditions
Salary scale 10, max 3852 euro gross per month
Appointment for 1 year, with prospects of a contract for several years
minimal working hours per week 20
maximal working hours per week 40

More Information
dr. J Wallinga, head of the Unit for Modeling Infectious Diseases
office phone +31 30- 274 2553

Questions about the application procedure vacature@rivm.nl

We prefer your digital application through http://www.werkenvoornederland.nl/vacatures/detail/onderzoeker-modellering-van-infectieziekten before the 12th of October.

About the Unit for Modelling of Infectious Diseases

The post-holder will be based within the Modelling Unit at the RIVM, which is a dynamic international and stimulating group comprising modellers and health economists who work closely with colleagues whose expertise spans diverse disciplines, including epidemiologists, statisticians, modellers, microbiologists, virologists, and immunologists. The Modelling Unit is one of the leading research groups in its field, and maintains numerous collaborative links with external academic and non-academic institutions. For more information, please visit our website http://www.rivm.nl/en/Topics/M/Modelling_infectious_diseases

About the Centre for Epidemiology and Surveillance

The Centre for Epidemiology and Surveillance is part of the Netherlands Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and is internationally renowned as a centre of excellence for public health. The Centre for Epidemiology and Surveillance is located within the Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), and is responsible for monitoring the current status of infectious diseases. CIb scientists conduct research on the location, frequency, and risk factors of outbreaks, and interventions which have proven effective, and also attempt to establish why other interventions have not been effective. The Centre for Epidemiology and Surveillance initiates and facilitates research on the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, provides assistance and advice to investigations into outbreaks of infectious diseases, and develops new monitoring and surveillance systems. It also disseminates knowledge and experience in the form of scientific articles and RIVM reports, (which present national and international epidemiological research findings), maintains contact with sister organizations in other European countries, and initiates further joint research where appropriate. The Centre acts as a training location for the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology.

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5. Postdoc: Theoretical Viral Ecology, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

To begin: Summer 2014

A postdoctoral scientist position (2+ years) is available at Georgia Tech in the theoretical ecology and quantitative biology group of Dr. Joshua Weitz (School of Biology). The postdoc will lead efforts to develop analytical and computational models of the dynamics and diversity of environmental viruses. Requirements include: (1) PhD in physics, mathematical biology, computational biology, applied mathematics, ecology, evolutionary biology or related area; (2) Strong quantitative & computational skills; (3) Excellent communication skills; (4) Interest and experience in collaborative research. Position to start in Summer 2014, start date negotiable, includes competitive salary, benefits, and travel budget. Screening of applicants will begin October 15, 2013, however all applications will be considered until position is filled.

To apply, please e-mail Joshua Weitz (jsweitz@gatech.edu) with a curriculum vitae (CV), a one page statement of how your research interests are related to this position, and contact information for 3 references. More information on the group’s research can be found at http://ecotheory.biology.gatech.edu. Georgia Tech is located in Atlanta, GA in the Midtown neighborhood – a vibrant, urban community: http://www.midtownatl.com/.

Georgia Tech is a unit of the University System of Georgia and an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and requires compliance with the Immigration Control Reform Act of 1986.

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6. Faculty positions: Disease Epidemiology, University of Notre Dame, USA

The College of Science and Eck Institute for Global Health at the University of Notre Dame are seeking candidates for two tenure track Assistant/Associate Professors in Disease Epidemiology. We are particularly interested in candidates with research interests and a demonstrated record in investigating the epidemiology, population dynamics, and control of infectious diseases from a global perspective with focus in low and middle income countries. All areas of infectious disease will be considered, but preference will be given to specific research interests including: infectious disease modeling and surveillance that leverages large, heterogeneous data sets; epidemic modeling; genomic and evolutionary epidemiology; vectorborne and/or zoonotic diseases; neglected tropical diseases, risk factor investigation; environmental health; or modeling within-host immunity and pathogen/disease dynamics. Individuals with interest or experience in establishing a strong international research program are particularly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and exciting interdisciplinary campus-wide initiative in quantitative and computational biosciences, including the evolutionary genomics of pathogens and hosts.

Successful candidates will be appointed in either the Department of Biological Sciences (http://biology.nd.edu) or the Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics (http://acms.nd.edu) in the College of Science, and will be expected to establish a vigorous extramurally supported research program, participate in collaborations within and across disciplines, and contribute to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. Senior applicants should have a record of national and international distinction. Both positions will have access to state-of-the-art institutes and facilities to support research including the AAALAC-accredited Freimann Animal Facility, Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility, Center for Zebrafish Research, Harper Cancer Research Institute, Keck Center for Transgene Research, Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Lizzadro Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Center for Research Computing, Environmental Change Initiative, and core facilities for proteomics, genomics and bioinformatics. Additional information can be found at http://research.nd.edu/core-facilities/.

The positions include competitive salary, start-up funding, and research space. Applicants should upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a detailed research plan, and a statement of teaching interests directed to Dr. David Severson, Search Committee Chair and Director of the Eck Institute for Global Health (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/3337). Candidates should arrange to have at least three letters of recommendation sent directly to the search committee via the application website. Review of applications will commence immediately and will continue until suitable candidates are identified.

The University of Notre Dame is an equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional and academic commitment to diversity and endeavors to foster a vibrant learning community animated by the Catholic intellectual tradition.


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