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IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Research Associate (SM102-10)
School:
Public Health
Department:
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Job Family/Level:
Research and Education, Level B
Salary Range:
£26,720 – £33,080per annum
Contract:
Full-time for 15 months in the first instance
Reporting to:
Professor Christophe Fraser and Dr Simon Cauchemez
Location:
St Mary’s campus, Paddington
The Post:
The Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling was
founded in March 2007 with Professor Neil Ferguson as Director. Its mission is to be an
international resource and centre of excellence for research on the epidemiological analysis
and modelling of novel infectious disease outbreaks. SARS and H5N1 avian influenza have
highlighted the need of the world to improve its readiness for new epidemics. The centre will
build upon a world-leading research group in the Department of Infectious Disease
Epidemiology at Imperial College to undertake applied collaborative work with national and
international agencies in support of policy planning and response operations against
emerging infectious disease threats.
We are seeking a Research Associate to develop and implement Mathematical Models of
Infectious Disease Transmission applied to Outbreaks. This position is funded by the MRC
Methodology Research Programme, in a project entitled: ‘Estimating the impact of social
structure on epidemics and predicting the impact of targeted interventions‛. The
coinvestigators on the project are Prof. Christophe Fraser and Dr Simon Cauchemez (co-PIs)
and Profs Neil Ferguson and Azra Ghani. The project will fund two Research Associates who
should work closely together, ideally with one focussing on Mathematical Modelling and the
other on Statistical Inference though these categories are not fixed and the best candidates
overall will be recruited. In any case, there should be a large amount of communication and
cross-disciplinary activity for the two Research Associates.
Quantitative epidemiology is now expected to have a key role in preparing for and
responding to novel infectious disease outbreaks. Preparedness modelling typically involves
building relatively realistic models of disease spread in advance of an outbreak in order to
assist in decision-making regarding intervention and response planning. Such models are
parameterised using analyses of historical outbreaks, trying to adjust for modern
demographic trends. Such an approach has recently been used in preparing for example for
an influenza pandemic or for the deliberate release of smallpox. In this situation models can
be used to evaluate the likely effectiveness of different interventions (for example school
closures) as well as to estimate the resources (for example vaccines or drugs) that would be
required to efficiently control a range of scenarios.
The aim of this project is to i) develop parameter estimation methods to estimate parameters
for age structured and household models of epidemics, ii) develop simplified approaches to
including these heterogeneities in models, and iii) to explore the utility of these methods in
predicting the impact of specific public health interventions. The work will focus on the
analysis of real historical data and simulated epidemics, and may contribute to the
development of analytic tools for use by public health agencies in future outbreaks.
The research will be undertaken within the context of MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and
Modelling at Imperial College, and will benefit from the translational focus of the Centre and
the close links it is forging with public health bodies in the UK (e.g. DH, HPA) and across the
world (e.g. WHO, CDC). The focus of the research will be on directly transmitted pathogens
such as SARS, influenza or smallpox as these are most likely to require a rapid response.
Key Responsibilities:
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Develop a range of mathematical and statistical simulation models of disease
outbreaks.
Collate epidemiological and other data relevant for the research project.
To take initiatives in the planning of research
To direct the work of small research teams
To identify and develop suitable techniques, and apparatus, for the collection and
analysis of data
To conduct data analysis
To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings
To write reports for submission to research sponsors
To present findings to colleagues and at conferences
To submit publications to refereed journals
To provide guidance to staff and students
To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary
To develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the wider
community
To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College
To provide guidance to PhD Students
To maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental work.
To actively participate in the research programme of the Group and Unit
To publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and international
meetings.
To participate in Group/Unit research meetings and internal seminars.
Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the
requirements of the project demand.
To collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and elsewhere in
London and abroad, as appropriate.
To contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s/Unit’s laboratories and, facilities
with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories.
Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and
research assistants as required.
To comply with the College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend courses
on safety when appropriate.
Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of
Division/Department/Section.
Comply with relevant College policies, including Financial Regulations, Equal
Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and Safety Policy,
Information Systems Security Policy and Intellectual Property Rights and Register of
Interests Policies
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
The post holder is expected to observe and comply with all College policies and
regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in our
Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and
Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications
Essential

PhD in one of the following areas: infectious disease epidemiology, mathematics,
statistics, theoretical physics, computer science or population biology.
Experience
Essential


Research experience of working with mathematical models.
Experience in communicating research findings to a non-specialist audience.
Desirable




Research experience in infectious disease epidemiology.
Research experience of statistical modelling.
Publication in leading scientific journals.
Experience of working with external collaborators in the UK and overseas.
Knowledge
Essential



Working knowledge of mathematical modelling.
Programming in at least one high level language.
An interest in infectious disease ecology and control.
Desirable

Knowledge of C++ programming, R, Berkeley Madonna, Excel
Skills/Abilities
Essential


Proven research skills
Ability to collate data, interpret and present results to a high standard using a range of
specialised research techniques

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Ability to work independently but also as part of a larger interdisciplinary research team
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to organise own work load with minimal supervision
Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
Other

Willingness to travel internationally at relatively short notice.
APPLICATION GUIDANCE
Please read the person specification carefully and describe, as part of your application, how
much you feel you meet each of the criteria.
If you attach a CV it should include the following information:
Applicant’s full name, private address and private telephone number
A confidential fax number and e-mail address, where possible
Degrees (including University and dates)
Past and present posts
List of publications
Brief description of future research plans
Names, addresses and, email, fax numbers, of three referees.
Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.