University of Liverpool - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection and Global Health

£36,862 - £46,696 pa

Applications are invited from outstanding individuals with a proven research track record and a strong evidence of potential in attracting grant funding, to join the Institute of Infection and Global Health which encompasses the Departments of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Epidemiology and Population Health and Infection Biology. You may be a basic scientist or veterinarian, working in any viral, bacterial or parasite system of importance to human or animal health. You will be expected to contribute to the research strategy of the Institute and to develop an appropriate research programme, and participate in the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Informal enquiries to Professor Tom Solomon on 0151 706 4380.

Job Ref: A-573594/JAC
Closing date: 28 October 2011

For full details, or to request an application pack, visit
www.liv.ac.uk/working/job_vacancies/ or e-mail jobs@liv.ac.uk
Please quote job ref in all enquiries.

Dr G Pinchbeck BVSc CertES PhD DipECVPH MRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology,
Department of Epidemiology and Population Health,
Institute of Infection and Global Health,
School of Veterinary Science,
University of Liverpool

September 1, 2011 is the deadline for requests for NIMBioS support for Working Groups, Investigative Workshops, Postdoctoral Fellows, Sabbaticals, and Short-term Visitors for activities beginning spring 2012. All areas of research at the interface of biology and mathematics will be considered, but we are especially interested in activities expanding beyond the areas of research supported to date. Potential organizers of activities in areas of molecular biology, cell biology, network biology, immunology and systems biology are particularly encouraged to submit requests for support of Working Groups or Investigative Workshops. NIMBioS, located at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, is an NSF-sponsored initiative to foster interdisciplinary research at the interface between mathematical and biological sciences. The institute's mission is to cultivate cross-disciplinary approaches in mathematical biology and to develop a cadre of researchers who address fundamental and applied biological problems in creative ways. Other NIMBIoS sponsors include DHS and USDA, with additional support from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. More details are posted at http://www.nimbios.org

Related Links:
NIMBioS Working Groups http://www.nimbios.org/workinggroups/
NIMBioS Investigative Workshops http://www.nimbios.org/workshops/
Postdoctoral Fellowships http://www.nimbios.org/postdocs/
Sabbaticals http://www.nimbios.org/visitors/sabbatical
Short-term Visits http://www.nimbios.org/visitors/

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University of Tennessee
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The diversity of the cattle farming systems located in a region and of between-farm contacts are major factors influencing the spread, persistence and control of pathogens in a metapopulation of cattle. A modelling approach is adequate to represent such a complex biological system. The objective of the PhD is to model the spread of a pathogen in a metapopulation of cattle to evaluate control strategies at a regional scale relying on the management of between-herd animal movements based on herd epidemiological statuses. The application concerns the spread of the bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), responsible for large economic losses for farmers. Control programs targeting BVDV between-herd spread have been developed by farmers’ organizations in Europe. The ex-ante evaluation of the efficacy of control strategies is therefore a major issue. The PhD student will model BVDV spread in a spatially explicit metapopulation of cattle, characterized by a density of herds of different types interacting via animal movements and neighbouring relationships. The French cattle network first will be described using graph theory. The stochastic dynamic model developed will account for the diversity in within-herd infection dynamics by coupling epidemiological models at the herd scale and a model of pathogen spread on a spatial contact network. The complexity of the resulting model will have to be argued given the relative contribution of between-herd transmission routes to the BVDV regional spread. Model predictions will be compared with the observations performed in North-western France under a range of control strategies.

For further information about this position, contact P. Ezanno (pauline.ezanno@oniris-nantes.fr) and E. Vergu (elisabeta.vergu@jouy.inra.fr). Application letters including a CV, research experience, a short statement of research interests, and contact details of two referees should be sent by email to both contacts. Selection of the PhD student will be done in May-June 2011. The position will start in October 2011.

SKILLS REQUIRED: Is required a master degree with a significant experience in biological system modelling or in biomathematics. Candidatures of students with a master degree in biology / ecology, epidemiology, agronomy, or applied mathematics will also be considered. The ideal candidate will have good computing skills. Proficiency in spoken and written English will be well appreciated.

SALARY: 1370€ net per month

Posted by:

Patricia Castillo-Briceño, MSc, PhD.
Marine Biologist
Ecuador - South America

Kodjabachian's Lab
Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille-Luminy
CNRS Université de la Méditerranée UMR 6216
Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Case 907
13288 Marseille Cedex 09
France

Tel: +33 4 91 26 93 58
Fax: +33 4 91 82 06 82
e-mail: patricia.castillo-briceno@univmed.fr

http://www.ibdml.univ-mrs.fr

A post-doctoral associate position is available in the area of epidemiology under the guidance of Dr. Kevin Cummings at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (http://vetmed.tamu.edu/vibs/vetepi/directorydetail?userid=10899). Research emphasis is the epidemiology of foodborne and other zoonotic pathogens. Current work focuses on the use of analytic and molecular epidemiology to study Salmonella among dairy and feedlot cattle, although the research focus of this position may be tailored to the interests and expertise of the individual. The post-doctoral associate will be expected to make presentations regarding his/her research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, participate in grant proposal preparation, and interact with faculty, post-doctoral associates, and graduate students at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. This position will help the successful candidate further his/her skills in advanced epidemiologic methodologies, statistical techniques, and veterinary public health.
A PhD (or equivalent) in epidemiology or another relevant discipline is required. A DVM (or equivalent) is preferred. Strong communication skills (oral and writing) are expected. Salary will be commensurate with level of education and experience. The standard benefits package available at Texas A&M University will be provided. The initial appointment will be for one year, with renewal subject to satisfactory progress and mutual agreement.
The successful candidate will join a vibrant group of researchers and graduate students within the Epidemiology and Public Health Program of the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences. The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University is recognized as a leader in research, education, and service, and broad collaborative opportunities are available throughout the University (for example, microbiologists, food scientists, geneticists, veterinary hospital clinicians, and researchers at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory). Collaborations with practicing veterinarians in the community and government agencies such as USDA will also be possible.

Interested individuals should send their curriculum vitae (CV), statement of research interests and professional goals, and the names and contact details of three references to Dr. Kevin Cummings (kcummings@cvm.tamu.edu). Candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Cummings at that e-mail address for additional information about the position. Review of applications will begin on April 4, 2011 and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Kevin Cummings, DVM, PhD
Assistant Professor, Epidemiology
Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4458

Office: VRB, room 283
Phone: 979-458-0203
Fax: 979-847-8981
E-mail: kcummings@cvm.tamu.edu

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

-------------------------------------------------------
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