[PostDoc and PhD positions] Infectious Disease Modelling at The Climate & Health AI Lab at IWR


Posted by Iliusi Vega del Valle on Jan. 24, 2022

  1. Postdoctoral positions in Infectious Disease Modelling (f/m/d,) full-time
  2. Doctoral student positions in Infectious Disease Modelling (f/m/d), part- of full-time

Link to positions descriptions

Joacim Rocklöv, Alexander von Humboldt Professor at Heidelberg University, is in the process of forming a cutting-edge research group studying the emergence of infectious diseases in a changing environment and climate. His group is positioned across faculties belonging both to the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH) and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Computing (IWR). The group is looking for several postdocs and doctoral students working on scientific approaches to Big Data and data science for the development of applied epidemiological infectious disease models in relation to environmental data. The purpose is primarily to generate new scientific insights and knowledge across disciplines, but also to showcase and contribute to the development of new innovative tools for decision-making.

1. Postdoctoral positions in Infectious Disease Modelling (f/m/d), full-time

  • The positions are limited to 3 years, with the possibility of extension
  • Salary according to TV-L
  • Application deadline: 31.03.2022

Your tasks:

  • Study drivers of infectious disease emergence using global databases and data sciences approaches in relation to climate change
  • Investigate disease risk and emergence of OneHealth and EcoHealth related disease threats in relation to environmental changes
  • Project and forecast infectious disease outbreak potential and risks in relation to climate and non-climate drivers
  • Develop and establish new models by integrating AI methodology with established process-based mathematical infectious disease models
  • Develop and validate methods for image identification of disease vectors using visual learning techniques
  • Utilize the wealth of data generated during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify critical factors contributing to local adaptive capacity and resilience to emerging infectious disease events
  • To develop epidemiological infectious disease models based on machine learning in relation to explainable AI and causal inference
  • Engage in data mining and environmental data processing and data curation
  • Collaborate in projects with an interdisciplinary team of doctoral students and postdocs with different backgrounds and expertise
  • Engage in proposal writing and networking

Your profile:

  • PhD in mathematics, statistics, physics, data science, informatics, climatology, meteorology, environmental sciences, ecology, computer science, engineering or epidemiology or related field
  • Strong interest in infectious disease dynamics and control
  • Programming skills
  • Modelling skills
  • Management and curation of environmental and climate data will be a merit, but is not a required skill
  • Prior experience within epidemiology or infectious disease is a merit, but is not a requirement
  • Fluency in English in writing and spoken language
  • Ability to work and collaborate in an interdisciplinary team

The offer:

  • A stimulating international and interdisciplinary research environment with strong global networks
  • Integration into a research team that is committed to deliver the highest standards of research in a fair, supportive and collaborative manner
  • Research that contributes to saving lives and informing more efficient global health and environmental policy
  • Excellent research facilities at Mathematikon INF 205 with access to state-of-the-art tools and infrastructure
  • Salary according to TV-L
  • Various training opportunities to broaden your expertise and (soft) skills
  • A possibility to make exchange visits to collaborating institutions

Looking forward to your application with application letter, CV, University degree certificates, and the name and contact details to at least two referees. Your application should be merged into one PDF-file, labelled with your last and first name and sent to application.rockloev@iwr.uni-heidelberg.de until March 31, 2022.

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Disabled persons will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.

2. Doctoral student positions in Infectious Disease Modelling (f/m/d), part- of full-time

  • Starting as soon as possible
  • Salary according to E 13 TV-L

Your tasks:

  • Study drivers of infectious disease emergence using global databases and data sciences approaches in relation to climate change
  • Investigate disease risk and emergence of OneHealth and EcoHealth related disease threats in relation to environmental changes
  • Project and forecast infectious disease outbreak potential and risks in relation to climate and non-climate drivers
  • Develop and establish new models by integrating AI methodology with established process-based mathematical infectious disease models
  • Develop and validate methods for image identification of disease vectors using visual learning techniques
  • Utilize the wealth of data generated during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify critical factors contributing to local adaptive capacity and resilience to emerging infectious disease events
  • To develop epidemiological infectious disease models based on machine learning in relation to explainable AI and causal inference
  • Engage in data mining and environmental data processing and data curation
  • Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of doctoral students and postdocs with different backgrounds and expertise
  • Engage in proposal writing and networking

Your profile:

  • MSc in mathematics, statistics, physics, data science, informatics, climatology, meteorology, environmental sciences, ecology, computer science, engineering or epidemiology, or related field
  • Strong interest in infectious disease dynamics and control
  • Programming and modelling experience will be an asset
  • Fluency in English in written and spoken language
  • Ability to work and collaborate in an interdisciplinary team

The offer:

  • A stimulating international and interdisciplinary research environment with strong global networks
  • Integration into a research team that is committed to deliver the highest standards of research in a fair, supportive and collaborative manner
  • Research that contributes to saving lives and informing more efficient global health and environmental policy
  • Excellent research facilities at Mathematikon INF 205 with access to state-of-the-art tools and infrastructure
  • Salary according to E 13 TV-L
  • Part of full time positions; starting as soon as possible
  • Various training opportunities to broaden your expertise and (soft) skills
  • A possibility to make exchange visits to collaborating institutions

Looking forward to your application with application letter, CV, and degree certificates. Your application should be merged into one PDF-file, labelled with your last and first name and sent to application.rockloev@iwr.uni-heidelberg.de as soon as possible.

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Disabled persons will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.