Postdoc on the international surveillance for pandemic emergence: From surveillance to action

Erasmus MC, TU Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam have joined forces in the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC). PDPC aims to prepare society for future pandemics and disasters. We will reduce vulnerabilities and risks and build resilience through effective disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery measures. Convergence of the technical, medical and social sciences is essential for developing the next generation of approaches to disasters and pandemics. In the foreseeable future, our society can expect many more and unforeseen virus outbreaks and extreme events because of climate change. But how do we protect society from the next pandemic or disaster? Which of the lessons learnt could develop prevention and intervention measures, and how could research contribute to preparedness?

One of the pillars of preparedness is a well-functioning early warning system. As most emerging diseases come from animal reservoirs, early warning focusing on detection of changes in the ecology of diseases in wildlife or livestock could potentially prevent outbreaks. In this frontrunner project on integrated early warning surveillance tools and methods, 3 PhD students and -will work with a large multidisciplinary team of senior researchers. The project is highly collaborative. Within the project we aim to identify and characterize critical nodes in the complex global network of transport and migration for the emergence and dissemination of new viruses. Using rapid deployable and innovative sampling and detection methods we will further investigate these critical nodes.

As a translational researcher, you will focus on translating surveillance efforts within the project to action / practical use at the GGD. Tasks will be to develop criteria (validity, timeliness, strength, ethics) for intelligent surveillance system to underpin public health actions and to develop systems to turn surveillance signals into alarms, and develop response strategies. You will be positioned at the GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond and Erasmus MC where you will work with a multi-stakeholder project team (research: TUDelft/Wageningen University & Research/Erasmus University; lead users: harbour of Rotterdam/Schiphol).

Within the project you will collaborate with 3 PhD students and a postdoc who are positioned at Erasmus MC and TU Delft, and are working on transport networks, virological sequencing, surveillance systems, and ethical frameworks. In addition, you will take part in field work in the Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport.

For this project you will be employed at the Department of Viroscience Erasmus MC. You will stationed at Erasmus MC and the Municipal Heath Services Rotterdam (GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond). Both institutions are located within walking distance of each other.

The Department of Viroscience at Erasmus MC employs more than 140 employees of different disciplines and runs an extensive experimental research program on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of infections by human and animal viruses. All necessary equipment to carry out the research proposed in the projects is available within the setting of the department. The Department of Viroscience harbors well-equipped clinical and experimental virology labs, in which all the virology, molecular biology, pathology and immunology techniques necessary for these projects are operational.

The GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond is committed to good public health through prevention, research, advice and information. With a working area of fifteen municipalities with a total of 1,3 million inhabitants, it is one of the largest GGD's in the Netherlands. The main task of the GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond is to monitor and promote the public health. Other tasks are infectious disease control, medical environmental advise, travel medicine, and STI testing. There is a research group focused on applied studies in infectious disease control, collaborating closely with the public health physicians.