Description

The School of Public Health and Community Medicine (SPHCM) is internationally recognised as a leader in Public Health with particular research strengths in Health Systems Research, Adolescent Health, Healthy Ageing, Infection and Immunity, Environmental Health, Global Health, Indigenous Health and Primary Health Care. The School has a core focus to investigate and provide new knowledge to help inform policy, governance, organisation, work and leadership in the health sector through cross disciplinary research with both academia and industry. The School also has strong associations with research centres and institutes throughout UNSW Medicine. https://sphcm.med.unsw.edu.au/

The Kirby Institute is a leading global research institute dedicated to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Established in 1986 in response to the then emerging HIV epidemic, the Kirby Institute now contributes to knowledge on a broad range of diseases, including viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections. Focussing on the coordination of national surveillance programs, population health and epidemiological research, clinical and behavioural research and clinical trials, the Kirby Institute’s research projects are conducted in partnership with communities most affected by epidemics. Of particular relevance to this position is the strong collaboration between the School and the Kirby Institute in relation to mathematical modelling research on sexually transmitted infections. https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/

The Opportunity  

• 2 Year Fixed-term opportunity
• Academic Level A (+ 17% superannuation and leave loading)
• Sydney, Australia based.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be responsible for the development of mathematical models under two funded National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project grants relating to population transmission and control of whooping cough and gonorrhoea respectively. Particular foci include structured models of immunity and the role of evolution of the causative agent Bordetella pertussis in whooping cough epidemiology and on analysis of improved public health control strategies for gonorrhoea in high-risk populations. This research will be conducted with collaborators both at UNSW and external agencies with additional involvement of community organisations in relation to gonorrhoea.

Requirements

Skills and Experience

• PhD in computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, epidemiology or a similar quantitative field
• Highly developed mathematical and computer programming skills, preferably with experience in mathematical modelling of infectious diseases
• Demonstrated experience with data management and performing statistical analyses
• Demonstrated research experience and the ability to undertake independent research projects
• Proven evidence of contribution to publications in reputable journals and ability to prepare research findings for presentation