We still poorly understand how the structuring of a population in urban and rural areas with different population densities or levels of connectivity affects the spread of infectious diseases, which makes spatial predictions of spread difficult to make. To address this important issue, the successful candidate will develop mathematical and statistical models to analyse a large serological dataset documenting the circulation of influenza strains in Madagascar during the last 50 years. The study will aim to better characterize how the geographical structure of a territory influences the spatial propagation of influenza. An important objective of our Unit is to provide real-time mathematical modelling and analysis during the emergence of infectious diseases and we must therefore be able to quickly respond to these crises as they occur. The successful candidate will also be expected to take part to these analyses.
Description
Environment
The Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit at Institut Pasteur was created in November 2013 and is directed by Dr Simon Cauchemez.
The research focus of the Unit is to develop state-of-the-art mathematical and statistical methods to tackle the many challenges epidemiologists and microbiologists face when analysing infectious disease data.
Our primary focus is the study of epidemics and outbreaks (for example, the emergence of chikungunya in the Caribbean, of MERS-CoV in the Middle East or of Ebola in West Africa). We aim to better understand how pathogens spread in human populations with a view to support policy making and optimize control strategies. These analyses benefit from a strong network of collaborators in the field (in particular within the large International Network of Pasteur Institutes) but also of strong connections with other Centres of Excellence in mathematical modelling. Our secondary objective is to develop mathematical models that can be used to better characterize the infection process from experimental data. There is indeed a unique set of expertise and competences in microbiology at Institut Pasteur and we aim to develop innovative statistical and mathematical techniques to get more insights from the complex experimental data they generate.
Our approach is therefore highly multidisciplinary, looking at infectious diseases through multiple perspectives (epidemiology, surveillance, Public Health, policy making, microbiology), multiple scales and multiple data streams.
Type of contract
Funding is available for 3 years. We will start with a 1 year contract with possibility to extend it for another 2 years. The annual gross salary is 31,356 €.
Interested candidates should contact Dr Simon Cauchemez (simon.cauchemez@pasteur.fr) with a CV, statement of interest and references. The deadline for applications is 25 March 2015.
Location: Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
Person specification:
• Research experience of working with mathematical and/or statistical models.
• An interest in infectious disease epidemiology.
• Ability to collate and analyse data, interpret and present results to a high standard using a range of specialised research techniques.
• Programming in C, C++ or Java.
• Knowledge of a statistical programming language (preferably R).
• 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.
Nr of positions available : 1
Research Fields
Computer science - Modelling tools
Medical sciences - Medicine
Environmental science - Ecology
Mathematics - Statistics
Mathematics - Applied mathematics
Career Stage
Early stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate)
Research Profiles
First Stage Researcher (R1)