Research Assistant or Associate at Imperial College London

About the role:

We are recruiting a postdoctoral research scientist to lead modelling and data analytics research on wastewater surveillance for viruses with pandemic potential.

The world has never been at greater risk of new infectious disease pandemics. Global surveillance for emerging zoonotic viruses is inadequate to protect against this risk, especially in low-income populations that are at the highest risk. We are funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish the Wastewater Surveillance for Pandemic Prevention (WaSPP) network. This network will develop and pilot wastewater surveillance strategies, laboratory methods and analytical tools in Africa and Asia.

A critical part of the WaSPP research agenda will be the development of math models and analytical tools to determine the target product profile for wastewater surveillance (WS). This will include the design of optimal WS sampling strategies and comparison of its potential sensitivity with clinical surveillance.

What you would be doing:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a three-year project and would suit a biologist, mathematician or statistician with research experience in infectious disease epidemiology and the ambition to advance global public health. In the first year, the successful candidate will develop mathematical models of spillover infection and transmission of prototype viruses representing viral families concern to support the development of target product profiles for WS. They will also help develop candidate virus panels and design WS characteristics for testing in WaSPP network countries based on risk maps for each viral family.

What we are looking for:

Key objectives are as follows:

• Develop mathematical models of infectious disease spillover from animal populations and the potential sensitivity of wastewater surveillance compared with clinical surveillance for viruses identified by WHO as high risk for causing a pandemic
• Review and evaluate the geographic distribution of pandemic risk for different viral families to co-design country or region-specific wastewater surveillance panels in collaboration with collaborating institutes and government agencies
• To collaborate with national and international partners in Africa and Asia on statistical and math model based inference from wastewater surveillance data, including the development of methods where needed
• To submit publications to online archives and peer-reviewed journals
• To interact with other members of the research group and with our national and international partners

Essential Requirements:

For appointment to Research Associate, you should hold a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology, biology, biomathematics or a related quantitative discipline with strong analytical skills and an interest in infectious disease epidemiology and/or vaccine research. Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further Information

This role is offered on a full time, fixed term basis until 31 August 2027 in the first instance.  Imperial College is supportive of flexible working.

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Prof Nicholas Grassly – n.grassly@imperial.ac.uk or Dr Isobel Blake isobel.blake@imperial.ac.uk