Professor – Head of Theme – Viral Pathogens

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world’s leading public health universities. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

The MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit was established in 1988 by the UK’s Medical Research Council (MRC) to improve the understanding and control of the HIV epidemic in Uganda and globally. The Unit conducts research on neglected, and emerging infections, and non-communicable diseases. 

The Unit is based in Entebbe, with field stations in Kalungu and Masaka districts. In 2018, the Unit became part of the LSHTM School, boosting research capacity into some of the current and emerging health issues in Africa and globally. The Unit hosts over 60 lead scientists and around 34 PhD students. The Unit has a compelling record of scientific achievement and a suite of cutting-edge platforms and clinical trials. it is uniquely placed to play a leading role in tackling the changing health needs in the region, while directly supporting the development and training of talented African researchers.

The Viral Pathogens Theme seeks to carry out world-leading virology research in East Africa, working in partnership with the Uganda Virus Research Institute. 

The Unit has long-standing strengths spanning HIV epidemiology and prevention, immunological and virological studies, tumor virology, emerging viruses and viral bioinformatics. Work under the theme is dynamic, evolving to address the complex and changing viral landscape in Uganda with on-going HIV challenges as well as new threats. The Theme Leader plays a critical role for the Unit in assessing scientific opportunities for the Unit and driving forward cutting-edge research programmes around a coherent scientific vision. 

Current focus areas of research are Epidemiology and Intervention; Virus Discovery and Diversity; Oncogenic Virus Immunovirology. The Unit’s close affiliation to UVRI (one of few African institutes devoted to virus research) offers unique opportunities for partnership, through shared laboratory and capacity building initiatives.

The Theme currently includes two Professors, one Associate Professor, four Assistant Professors, five Post-Doctoral Fellows and 19 PhDs, eight shared with the Vaccine Theme and one with the NCD Theme. 

The role holder will have a PhD in a relevant discipline, for example virology or viral immunology as well as a proven ability to obtain research funding from major funders and manage a significant portfolio of research projects. Further particulars are included in the job description.

The post is full-time, 35 hours per week, 1.0 FTE and fixed-term until 31 March 2028. The post is funded by the MRC and is available immediately.

The salary will be on the Professorial salary scale, in the range £72,232 - £115,727 per annum (inclusive of London Weighting). The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service.  Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year, pro rata for part time staff. In addition to this there are discretionary “Wellbeing Days”. Membership of the Pension Scheme is available. The post is based in Entebbe, Uganda at the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit.

Applications should be made on-line via our jobs website. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until 10pm of the closing date. Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk. 

The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience and training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. An answer to any of the criteria such as "Please see attached CV" will not be considered acceptable. 

Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.