Projects:
We are seeking 2 postdoctoral fellows in infectious disease modelling to join our group working in the field of epidemiology of infectious diseases and zoonotic agents in pig production.

1/ project on Hepatitis E virus within-farm dynamics modelling – 24 months.
The postdoc fellow will be responsible for a modelling study of Hepatitis E virus dynamics of infection within a pig farrow-to-finish farm in the framework of a global research project funded by the National Research Agency called « Hepatitis E dynamics in related ecosystems : from pig farms and wastewaters to shellfish » (HEVECODYN). The objective of the project is to better understand the determinants of the within-farm dynamics of infection using a modelling approach. The outcome of the modelling study will have to properly identify the circumstances associated with the presence of infectious particles in the different organs at slaughter. The postdoc fellow will have to establish an epidemiological model of HEV within-farm transmission. The population model representing a typical farrow-to-finish pig farm with a batch-rearing system is already available in the research group and has been used for other pig infections. For model building, data will be available from follow-up studies in HEV infected farms as well as from transmission experiments carried out during the project. The postdoc fellow will be responsible for the estimation of key parameters from both observational real-life data and transmission trials. He (she) will also be in charge of model building, sensitivity analysis and simulation strategy designed to identify risk practices.

2/ project on Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus within-farm dynamics modelling – 18 months.
This project aims at the identification of PRRSv control measures based on the use of prophylactic tools and modifications of husbandry practices using a modelling approach. A mathematical model describing PRRSv transmission dynamics within a typical farrow-to-finish farm (individual-based, stochastic population model already available) will be parameterized using estimates from a transmission experiment (data also available). In addition to this infectious model, the population immunity regarding PRRSv will also be represented. In a first step a mathematical model describing the immune response at the individual level will be set up. An original mathematical approach will be used to define the best parameter estimates using available information in the literature and based also on observed data on several immune indicators (humoral and cellular response) from the transmission experiment. This individual model of the immune response will be further coupled to the population dynamics model to study the relationships between population immunity and PRRSv course of infection. The effects of husbandry practices modifications (batch-farrowing procedure, replacement policy, cross-fostering, contact structure, size of the groups...) and the implementation of several prophylactic measures will be studied. Probability of persistence and time-to-fade out will be studied as well as the evolution of population immunity.
Training
PhD in infectious disease modelling, with a background in Agronomy, veterinary medicine, biological sciences or applied mathematics with, according to the background a specialisation in either applied mathematics or biology of infectious agents.

Research experience
A previous experience during the thesis in infectious modelling within a structured population is a prerequesite. A previous experience in model parameters estimation from observational data and/or transmission experiments would be an added value.

Skills
- general knowledge in virology, immunology, host/agent interaction
- ability to transpose a biologic problematic into mathematical concepts
- skills in programming
- skills in biostatistics
- skills in writing and oral communication

Terms
- Full time contract for 24 (project 1) and 18 months (project 2) respectively
- The gross salary will range between EUR2000-2500 per month
(depending on previous candidate experience).
- Starting date between April 2011 and September 2011

Research environment
The research group is leading projects in quantitative epidemiology in swine production in the fields of animal health and zoonotic agents. Our epidemiology group works in close interaction within the lab with colleagues in virology, immunology and animal experiment. The research activities involve a wide range of methodologies from descriptive epidemiology, analytic epidemiology and infectious disease modelling. The group has a strong experience in the estimation of key parameters for infectious models using transmission experiments in our level-3 biosecurity facilities.

How to apply
Application deadline: March 1st, 2011
Information on position: Nicolas Rose, phone: +33 296 016 441
Submit a resume, publication list along with the names of 2 referees and a cover letter with reference to the announcement n°2011-EBEP01 (project 1) and 2011-EBEP02 (Project 2) to:
N. Rose, Anses - laboratoire de Ploufragan, BP 53, 22440 PLOUFRAGAN - FRANCE
By email: nicolas.rose@anses.fr

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Nicolas ROSE, DVM PhD

Epidemiology group
Anses
BP 53
22440 Ploufragan
tel. + 33 296 016 441
fax +33 296 016 295
nicolas.rose@anses.fr