At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a groundbreaking project modelling disease transmission dynamics to support global health initiatives.
- Company: Be part of a leading veterinary epidemiology group focused on neglected tropical diseases.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, competitive pension, and access to a fitness centre.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional development available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in global health while developing your skills in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Strong quantitative background and programming skills in R, Python, or similar languages required.
The predicted salary is between 35311 - 51470 £ per year.
We are seeking a Research Assistant / Associate in Transmission Dynamics Modelling to join a Gates Foundation-funded project, “Modeling tools to support elimination of river blindness”, based within the Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences and the RVC Global Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research.
The postholder will contribute to the development and application of stochastic transmission models for onchocerciasis, supporting global and country-level decision-making on the elimination of river blindness. The project addresses practical questions faced by elimination programmes, including when mass drug administration can safely be stopped, how post-treatment and post-elimination surveillance should be designed and interpreted, how resurgence risk should be assessed, and how intervention strategies should be evaluated in settings where treatment is constrained.
Working under the scientific and technical direction of Dr Martin Walker, and in close collaboration with technical partners at Imperial College London, the postholder will support model implementation, testing and documentation; preparation and integration of epidemiological, serological, entomological and intervention-history datasets; large-scale simulation generation; model fitting, validation and uncertainty analysis; and preparation of outputs to inform stopping thresholds, surveillance strategies, resurgence risk and decision-support analyses.
Applicants should have a strong quantitative background relevant to infectious disease dynamics, stochastic simulation, population modelling, statistical modelling, data analysis or quantitative epidemiology. For appointment as Research Associate, applicants should have a PhD awarded or near completion in a relevant discipline. For appointment as Research Assistant, applicants should have an MSc or equivalent quantitative, computational or research experience.
Applicants should have strong programming skills in at least one relevant language, such as R, Python, C or C++, and experience implementing, running, debugging or documenting computational models, simulations or analytical code. They should be able to work with existing codebases, analyse complex datasets, document work clearly, and communicate methods, assumptions, uncertainty and results to both modelling and non-modelling collaborators.
Experience with stochastic or individual-based models, high-performance or cluster computing, version control systems such as GitHub, reproducible workflows, Bayesian or likelihood-based inference, and neglected tropical diseases or disease elimination would be advantageous.
This role offers an opportunity to contribute to a collaborative, policy-relevant modelling project at the interface of infectious disease dynamics, surveillance, programme decision-making and neglected tropical disease elimination.
We offer a generous reward package and benefits including:
- Competitive and attractive pension package
- Generous 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays + concessionary days)
- Access to free in-house CPD and funded external CPD
- A range of family friendly policies, including adoption, maternity and paternity pay and leave
- Free membership to the newly built Fitness and Wellbeing Centre located on site (gym, badminton, climbing wall, Zumba, yoga and Pilates classes included)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free mini-bus service to and from Potters Bar station and Hawkshead Campus
Potential applicants wishing to discuss this position informally are encouraged to contact Martin Walker.
We promote equality of opportunity and diversity within the workplace and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Research Assistant / Associate in Transmission Dynamics Modelling in London employer: Royal Veterinary College
At the Royal Veterinary College, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Located near Potters Bar, our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our competitive benefits package, which includes generous annual leave, a pension scheme, and onsite gym membership, ensuring our team members thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Assistant / Associate in Transmission Dynamics Modelling in London
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Royal Veterinary College, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Royal Veterinary College. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Assistant / Associate in Transmission Dynamics Modelling in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Royal Veterinary College. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Royal Veterinary College. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Veterinary College
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Royal Veterinary College. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Royal Veterinary College to drive research projects forward.
