Research Assistant/Post Doctoral Research Associate in Epidemiology and Vector-borne Diseases - Grade 6/7

This is an exciting opportunity for an epidemiologist or disease ecologist to further their career at the University of Liverpool. We are looking for a highly motivated researcher or technician with experience in epidemiology and/or vector-borne disease ecology to join the research team as part of ‘Optick’, a large multi-institution, transdisciplinary UKRI Defra funded research project focused on optimising One Health Surveillance and management of tick-borne disease threats in a changing environment. You will co-lead or assist with the design and field collection of ecological, environmental, tick and host infection and disease data and data on farm management practices to understand how landscape woodland and ecotonal habitat connectivity affects the risks from tick-borne pathogens among agricultural habitats. Two study landscapes have been selected in the UK, i) a lowland agricultural landscape where bovine babesiosis will be studied and ii) an upland landscape where louping ill and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in sheep will be studied. You will work closely with co-leads and staff members employed by the UK Health Security Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency and researchers at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. You will co-lead collection of stratified tick collection to quantify tick and pathogen hazard at selected farms, take part in farmer interviews and assist with managing the integration and collation of tick and livestock infection datasets for statistical analysis and lead or contribute to outputs from this research.

You should have a 1st or 2:1 class degree and PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, and research experience in a field relevant to epidemiology or disease ecology. Experience of working in interdisciplinary teams and interest in economic impacts of disease on livestock is desirable as there is scope to extend the position for 6 months and work with Professor Jonathan Rushton applying Global Burden of Animal Diseases methodology to UK livestock tick-borne diseases. 

This post is available for 9 months with the possibility of an extension.

If you are still awaiting your PhD to be awarded you will be appointed at Grade 6, spine point 30.  Upon written confirmation that you have been awarded your PhD, your salary will be increased to Grade 7, spine point 31.

The University of Liverpool is committed to enhancing workforce diversity. We actively seek to attract, develop, and retain colleagues with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all genders/gender identities, Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, individuals living with a disability, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Job Ref: 082166                                                                                                Closing Date: 30 July 2024

For full details and to apply online, please visit: https://recruit.liverpool.ac.uk

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