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Informal Queries
2 x Fixed Term Contracts until 31/08/2028
The Mathematics Institute at Warwick is looking to appoint two postdoctoral research fellows (PDRAs) for an exciting new opportunity to develop a career in infectious disease modelling within one of the UK’s leading groups. These positions are until 31st August 2028. The successful candidates will join the HAT Modelling and Economic Predictions for Policy (HAT MEPP) team, a multidisciplinary research group working with key partners to develop regional, policy-ready models and analyses that support decision-makers within national sleeping sickness control programmes.
The positions will focus on gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT or sleeping sickness), a vector-borne disease targeted for elimination of transmission by 2030. Successful candidates will lead specific project components, with the goal of first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals while impacting HAT intervention strategies.
The roles provide an excellent opportunity to develop skills in science communication, complex dataset analysis, health economic modelling, programming, optimisation methods, and cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) within a supportive and collaborative environment. CEAs will primarily be conducted in R, while Matlab and C++ are used for transmission modelling aspects of the project. Experience with one or more of these programming languages is therefore desirable. Familiarity with cluster computing would also be advantageous.
We anticipate that one position will focus primarily on improving the existing HAT MEPP code base, working closely with other team members to ensure it is efficient, reliable and adaptable, including the development of a unit testing framework. This role is also likely to involve supporting fitting of transmission models to new data sets. The second position is expected to focus more heavily on stakeholder engagement and the development of novel health economic analyses. Responsibilities will be allocated according to the skill sets and experience of the appointed PDRA and both will be expected to contribute across a range of different task types during the project.
These roles are for candidates who hold a PhD in Mathematical Modelling, Computer Science, Health Economics or a related discipline. We particularly encourage applicants from individuals with strong programming skills and/or an interest in developing expertise in health economic evaluations.
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).
The Mathematics Institute and the University of Warwick provide an outstanding environment in which to learn how quantitative modelling informs public policy. Our group works not only on the application of these methods across six African countries, but also on broader conceptual questions that arise when modelling informs decision-making for global health goals.
We offer an intellectually stimulating, interdisciplinary, and multi-institutional environment including an outstanding and supportive Health Economics, Mathematical Modelling and Statistics team. The postholders will gain experience working on impactful analyses that directly inform health policy. In addition, we collaborate closely with national sleeping sickness programmes and their partners, ensuring that research outputs are translated into practical recommendations. Findings from the health economic analyses will contribute to discussions with national programmes, implementation partners and funding organisations.
The role may also involve some travel to West and Central Africa to engage with policymakers and national programme leads, accompanied by other UK-based researchers and subject to project timelines and the postholders’ willingness to travel.
These roles fall under the Zeeman Institute: Systems Biology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research (SBIDER) group – an interdisciplinary group working at the interface of Mathematics, Biology, Computer Science, Statistics and Medicine. Postholders will benefit from regular interactions with other SBIDER members, including seminars and collaborative activities that support professional development across a broad range of topics in quantitative health research.
We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.
* World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026
** Research Excellence Framework 2021
Closing Deadline: Wednesday 14 September 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)*
To apply, please click APPLY below and submit an application form by the closing deadline.
You will be asked to include a CV and Cover Letter. These documents should:
References: All applicants should ensure that their 3 referees send their references by the deadline to Alison Glendinning (Senior Administrative Assistant, Department of Mathematics, University of Warwick) by email to MathematicsPA@warwick.ac.uk.
Please ensure your application clearly evidences the essential criteria, as the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application if these are not demonstrated.**
* Applications must be submitted through the warwick-careers.tal.net portal before the closing deadline. We recommend completing your application form in good time, as the advert will automatically close at the deadline.
** You are welcome to include any career breaks, such as parental leave, caring responsibilities, or long-term sickness absence. For guidance on how to format a cover letter, see here.
We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements.
Where possible, we offer hybrid working arrangements that combine office-based and remote working. Opportunities for hybrid working will depend on the requirements of the role, business needs of the department and can be discussed during the recruitment process.
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.
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.
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
