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THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Research Associate/Fellow in Mathematical Modelling of
Infectious Diseases
School:
School of Veterinary Medicine & Science
Salary:
£25,513 - £37,394 per annum, depending on skills and
experience (£28,695 per annum minimum with relevant
PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to
performance.
Job Family and Level:
Research & Teaching level 4CTG/4
Contract Status:
Fixed-term position for 31 months from date of appointment
Hours of Work:
Full-time
Location:
Sutton Bonington campus
Reporting to:
Dr Michael Tildesley
Purpose of the New Role: Research
Main Responsibilities
% time
per year
1.
To conduct research at the highest level in accordance with the aims and
objectives of the project and produce useful outputs of impact that lead to
peer-reviewed publications of international quality.
80%
2.
To contribute to research supervision and training of undergraduates and
postgraduates, and to contribute to the development of the research group
and the School.
5%
3.
To operate as an effective team player within the group and to be accountable
to the line manager on the progress and daily running of the project.
5%
4.
To contribute to administrative work related to the research group.
5%
5.
To update professional skills as appropriate and relevant in support of research
excellence.
5%
Job Description
The post is funded by the Department of Homeland Security. The project will utilise
mathematical models to determine optimal control policies in the event of outbreaks of
infectious disease. In particular, the successful candidate will develop a mathematical model to
simulate the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) within and between livestock farms. The
aim of this work is to investigate the level of complexity required in a mathematical model to
make accurate predictions regarding the future spread of disease and the impact of
intervention strategies. The work involves close collaboration with colleagues at Colorado State
University, Linköping University in Sweden and the US Department of Agriculture. The ultimate
goal of the project is to develop a national scale model that will be utilized for contingency
planning in the USA in the event of future outbreaks of FMD. In addition to the research
outlined above, the post will include collaboration with policy makers in both the UK and the
USA as optimal strategies for disease control are developed. The successful applicant will be
able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex
information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to
external bodies.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications/Ed
ucation
Skills/Training
Essential
 PhD (or equivalent) in veterinary
epidemiology, statistics,
epidemiology, mathematical
modelling or associated discipline
 Undergraduate degree (or
equivalent) in veterinary
medicine, biology, applied
mathematics or associated
discipline
Desirable
 Masters degree (or
equivalent) or equivalent in
veterinary epidemiology,
statistics, veterinary medicine,
epidemiology, mathematical
modelling or associated
discipline
 At least 1 year post-doctoral
research experience.

Knowledge and experience of
research in mathematical
modelling of livestock diseases
An excellent understanding of
infection dynamics in foot-andmouth diseases in livestock.
Ability to manage and analysis
large, complex data sets.
Ability to produce detailed reports
summarising results of complex
mathematical models, and to
communicate results to
international policy makers.
Ability to translate science into
language useful and
understandable for lay audiences
and stakeholders of the funding
body.

An understanding of statistics
and epidemiology including
experience in Bayesian
methodology.
Previous experience within a
research team and formal
reporting of science to a lay and
scientific audience. Previous
experience of writing peer
reviewed papers
Specific experience in
mathematical modelling of
livestock diseases.

Previous experience of
collaboration with field-based
livestock disease experts and
policy makers working on
contingency planning for
future foot-and-mouth disease
outbreaks.




Experience


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


Excellent command of the English
language, spoken and written
Excellent communication skills
and experience of working in a
professional team.
Experience in managing and
working with a variety of different
stakeholders
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