POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT. - STATISTICAL OR MATHEMATICAL MODELLER -INFECTIOUS DISEASE TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS
Reference Number: PDRA-10-11
Category: Research, Science and Biotechnology
Salary: Kshs.240,148 – 305,536
Grade: 7.2 - 7.9
Location: Kilifi
Country: Kenya
Summary:
The Viral Epidemiology and Control (VEC) group at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
in Kilifi, Kenya (http://www.kemri-wellcome.org/home)is looking to appoint two individuals to
investigate a set of questions relating to human respiratory virus transmission. In particular this will
focus on intra- and inter-virus species interactions, using individual and population level approaches
and drawing from a wealth of community study data collected in Kilifi. The successful candidates are
likely to come from within the disciplines of statistics, physics, engineering, or applied mathematics
and will have complementary statistical and mathematical skills in the use of transmission dynamic
and statistical inference models.
PROJECTS TO INCLUDE:
Viral interactions explored through deterministic multi-type transmission dynamic models.
Based on a RAS (realistic age-structured) compartmental model now set up in our group, develop a
suite of models to investigate the transmission of multiple strains of a single virus species or multiple
virus species, within age-structured populations. This will require inclusion of cross-immunity
matrices, and should be generalized to "n" strains. The model should, in the first instance, be used to
regenerate the results of previous 2-strain modelling of respiratory syncytial virus and dynamic
patterns of interacting viruses. Once the general framework has been developed the model can be
used to explore a number of different hypotheses of interactions between viruses.
Estimation of parameters relating to competitive interactions between viruses from household repeated sampling data
Through the use of Bayesian MCMC modeling estimate rates of infection acquisition and recovery for
and competition between viral variants or species using repeated measurement data from individuals
within a household study. Based on methods developed for pneumococcal and rotavirus type
dynamic, investigate the hypothesis that respiratory viruses interact at the population level, and infer
mechanisms of interaction and effects on different fitness qualities (such as infectivity, and shedding
duration and level.)
REPORTING LINES:
The post holder will report to Study PI
EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential:
• PhD in mathematical or statistical modelling with a high numerical and computational content
• Evidence of ability to work independently
• Team player with excellent communication skills
• Enthusiasm to apply skills to the study of infectious diseases
Desirable:
• 2-5 year post-doctoral experience in a relevant area
• Experience in modelling directly applicable to the above projects
• Expertise in any of Matlab, R, STATA, WinBugs or similar
• Competence and interest to supervise at PhD / RA level
• Flexibility to spend time overseas with collaborators
• Experience of working in a developing country
• Strong publication record (e.g. ³ 1 first author peer-reviewed paper per year since PhD)
We particularly wish to encourage candidates with a fervent desire to develop a career in research in
the East African Region.
Closing Date: 7th November 2011
To apply, please copy the link below as your web address:
http://careers.kemri-wellcome.org/vacancy/post-doctoral-research-assistant-statistical-ormathematical-modeller-infectious-disease-tra
Daily Kenyan Jobs :: For Jobs in Kenya
Reference Number: PDRA-10-11
Category: Research, Science and Biotechnology
Salary: Kshs.240,148 – 305,536
Grade: 7.2 - 7.9
Location: Kilifi
Country: Kenya
Summary:
The Viral Epidemiology and Control (VEC) group at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
in Kilifi, Kenya (http://www.kemri-wellcome.org/home)is looking to appoint two individuals to
investigate a set of questions relating to human respiratory virus transmission. In particular this will
focus on intra- and inter-virus species interactions, using individual and population level approaches
and drawing from a wealth of community study data collected in Kilifi. The successful candidates are
likely to come from within the disciplines of statistics, physics, engineering, or applied mathematics
and will have complementary statistical and mathematical skills in the use of transmission dynamic
and statistical inference models.
PROJECTS TO INCLUDE:
Viral interactions explored through deterministic multi-type transmission dynamic models.
Based on a RAS (realistic age-structured) compartmental model now set up in our group, develop a
suite of models to investigate the transmission of multiple strains of a single virus species or multiple
virus species, within age-structured populations. This will require inclusion of cross-immunity
matrices, and should be generalized to "n" strains. The model should, in the first instance, be used to
regenerate the results of previous 2-strain modelling of respiratory syncytial virus and dynamic
patterns of interacting viruses. Once the general framework has been developed the model can be
used to explore a number of different hypotheses of interactions between viruses.
Estimation of parameters relating to competitive interactions between viruses from household repeated sampling data
Through the use of Bayesian MCMC modeling estimate rates of infection acquisition and recovery for
and competition between viral variants or species using repeated measurement data from individuals
within a household study. Based on methods developed for pneumococcal and rotavirus type
dynamic, investigate the hypothesis that respiratory viruses interact at the population level, and infer
mechanisms of interaction and effects on different fitness qualities (such as infectivity, and shedding
duration and level.)
REPORTING LINES:
The post holder will report to Study PI
EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential:
• PhD in mathematical or statistical modelling with a high numerical and computational content
• Evidence of ability to work independently
• Team player with excellent communication skills
• Enthusiasm to apply skills to the study of infectious diseases
Desirable:
• 2-5 year post-doctoral experience in a relevant area
• Experience in modelling directly applicable to the above projects
• Expertise in any of Matlab, R, STATA, WinBugs or similar
• Competence and interest to supervise at PhD / RA level
• Flexibility to spend time overseas with collaborators
• Experience of working in a developing country
• Strong publication record (e.g. ³ 1 first author peer-reviewed paper per year since PhD)
We particularly wish to encourage candidates with a fervent desire to develop a career in research in
the East African Region.
Closing Date: 7th November 2011
To apply, please copy the link below as your web address:
http://careers.kemri-wellcome.org/vacancy/post-doctoral-research-assistant-statistical-ormathematical-modeller-infectious-disease-tra
Daily Kenyan Jobs :: For Jobs in Kenya