Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Epidemiological modelling

About the position

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at CEES, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo

Starting date preferably by September 1, 2024 and no later than October 1, 2024.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is for a period of three years (10% of which is devoted to required duties). A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.

Knowledge development in a changing world – Science and technology towards 2030.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Job description / Project description / Development plan:

Are you passionate about advancing the field of epidemiology through innovative technology?

We invite applications for a postdoctoral research position to join a pioneering project dedicated to the development and validation of digital twin solutions for infectious disease modelling. This project is integrated within the broader initiative “A Digital Twin for Vaccination Strategies at Geographic Scales” and aims to clarify and influence public health strategy through sophisticated “what-if” scenario analyses.

About the Project: This interdisciplinary research project seeks to construct a digital twin framework to evaluate the impact of various vaccination strategies on infectious disease dynamics across different geographic scales. The work will employ formal methods and software engineering techniques to not only build but also ensure the reliability of these digital twin solutions in practical healthcare applications.

Research Team: As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be working alongside a diverse group of experts, including Einar Broch Johnsen – Project PI, Nils Chr. Stenseth – the primary supervisor for the position, Gunnveig Grødeland, and Anders Strand, as well as a well-developed international network. A PhD candidate focusing on Digital Twin technology will be appointed and work closely with the appointed postdoctoral researcher. The team crosses disciplines from computer science and biology to medicine and ethics, forming a collaborative environment that will extend your network and expose you to multifaceted perspectives.

Your Contribution: Your role will be critical in advancing the project's goal of leveraging digital twins for the modelling of infectious diseases. You will focus on:

• Developing and refining epidemiological models within the digital twin framework.
• Validating models through comparison with real-world epidemiological data.
• Collaborating with experts from various disciplines to ensure the accuracy and usefulness of the digital twin for public health decisions.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Qualification requirements:

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Computational Biology, or a related field, with a strong quantitative background. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment.
• Demonstrated experience in epidemiological modelling and infectious disease dynamics
• Experience working with social economic components in epidemic research.
• Proven skills in statistical analysis and mathematical modelling tools
• Excellent knowledge of programming languages such as R, Python, etc.
• Familiarity with AI algorithms and machine learning
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with research on epidemiological modelling, with an emphasis on zoonotic diseases
• Experience integrating socio-economic factors and spill-over dynamics in disease models
• Ability to provide insights into pathogen epidemiology and model parameters
• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence and its application in disease modelling
• Experience with teamwork and interdisciplinary research

Personal skills:

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our team. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds. Additionally, we are seeking someone with the ambition to contribute to leading international journals and the drive to gain valuable insights in their field of study. If you are passionate about research and are eager to collaborate with a dynamic team, we encourage you to apply.

We offer:

• Salary NOK 575 400 – 657 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work, research interest as well as what the applicant would like to do if offered the position))
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations:

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than of twelve months ( thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years).

Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact persons:

For further information please contact: Prof. Nils Chr. Stenseth, phone: +47 228 54584, e-mail: n.c.stenseth@mn.uio.no

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Nina Holtan, e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no

DIVERSE INFO

Kilde: NAV stillingsannonser
https://arbeidsplassen.nav.no/stillinger/stilling/fdf4b145-325d-4275-b0e9-eaa5cccd520b
IMPORTAPI
https://www.jobbnorge.no/ledige-stillinger/stilling/262382