Research Fellow in Rule-Based Epidemic Modelling

Full Time Fixed Term (08/05/2026)

Join our creative and multidisciplinary team at the IT Innovation Centre to help advance practice of modelling of complex systems applied to the interplay of human social behaviour with the physical world, causal relationships and risk in healthcare, environmental sciences and beyond!

You will bring specialist infectious disease epidemiology to our MRC-funded Rule-based epidemic modelling project. We are advancing the state of the art of expressing rich dynamics of socio-biological systems to study the interplay of behaviour, disease transmission and immune response. Supported by the modelling research group, your enthusiasm for learning and applying these new methods will help bring them to bear on important questions that have traditionally been difficult to address and encourage their adoption in the infectious disease modelling community.

To be successful it is essential you have the following:

• PhD (or close to completion) or equivalent experience in infectious diseases, epidemiology, public health or a related field
• Experience with mathematical, statistical or computational modelling
• Understanding of current topics and questions of interest in epidemiology
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

The following would be advantageous:

• Knowledge of game theory, behavioural economics, or population biology
• Knowledge of immunology
• Knowledge of statistical physics, chemistry, or molecular biology
• Experience working with health or social science data
• Experience with software engineering practices for reproducible science

There is considerable potential for developing your expertise and career, e.g. participation in open source communities, partnerships with public sector (e.g. NHS), academia and industry both in the UK and EU-wide, pursuit of new ideas, projects and publications, leading to Senior Research Fellow positions and beyond.

We offer fantastic benefits including 44 days leave per year (inclusive of public holidays and University closure days), options for flexible and remote working in the UK (e.g. no need to relocate to Southampton), excellent family leave arrangements, access to onsite childcare facilities and our comprehensive benefits package also includes a contributory pension scheme (with a 14.5% employer contribution), subsidised health and fitness facilities, a cycle-to-work scheme, and a range of discounts.  

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.  Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.  This commits all our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities. 

This is a full-time post until 08/05/2026, renewable subject to funding. We wish the post to start as soon as possible. 

Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. 

Working at the University of Southampton: 

Check out the staff benefits  and why you should join us at The University of Southampton!

Advert information