Research Fellow (110354-1025)

Project Title

Emergence, Persistence and Control of Avian Influenza Zoonotic Risk

Outline of Project Aims

The overall aim of this project is to develop an understanding of the demographic, management and behavioural characteristics that affect transmission risk of avian influenza viruses (AIV) within and between poultry farms and between poultry and humans in Indonesia. This will allow us to provide critical information for farmers, government authorities and the general public in Indonesia to implement appropriate surveillance and interventions for reducing the risk of human exposure to HPAI.

The key deliverables of this grant will be an increased understanding of the human health implications of HPAI outbreaks in Indonesia, an identification of high-risk regions and an exploration of appropriate adaptive strategies for future outbreaks. The Indonesian team has a proven track record of working with local policy makers which will ensure that our policy recommendations are communicated to appropriate national authorities and local practitioners.

The project investigators and the successful candidate for this position will also collaborate closely with the WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organisation during the project, thereby maximising both the regional and global impact of this research.

Funding

The funding for this post is from the Medical Research Council.

Research Group

The Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research (SBIDER)

You will join the SBIDER group in the School of Life Sciences and the Mathematics Institute at Warwick University. We are a diverse group of interdisciplinary scientists who develop models of biological systems and work closely with policy makers and stakeholders in the UK and around the world.

For more information about SBIDER visit https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/zeeman_institute/.

Flexible Working

We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis (e.g. job share), despite the position being advertised as full-time.

We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences.

Any requests for further information about the role can be directed to Professor Mike Tildesley at mike.tildesley@warwick.ac.uk.

KEYWORDS: highly pathogenic avian influenza, epidemiological modelling, transmission and disease control.

We are looking for someone with expertise in infectious disease modelling in LMICs, particularly with experience in working on zoonotic diseases. Applicants should be proficient in the development of spatial epidemiological models, incorporation of behavioural data into epidemic models, and the fitting of these models to real world data (including manipulation and pre-processing of empirical data). In addition, applicants should have experience in interacting with policy makers and designing in silico experiments with real-world policies in mind.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).

Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

For further information about the School of Life Sciences, please see our website at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci.

We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent environment; this ethic has enabled us to gain an Athena SWAN Silver award. 

We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you are excited by this role, we encourage you to apply, even if your past experience does not match exactly.  We also encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK. 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.*

Find out more about us on our website.

* QS World University Rankings 2024, Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Thursday 23 October 2025 at 23:55 (BST)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV should include:

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your cover letter should explain:

• The reasons for your interest in this post.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

• Interview Date: TBC
• Start Date: 01 December 2025 or ASAP

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.