Are you looking for a research position in infectious disease modeling of zoonotic pathogens? Are you interested in mathematical modeling and data science? Do you want to work on an interdisciplinary team and contribute to outbreak preparedness and response in the Netherlands? We would like to get in contact with you.

We are looking for two researchers in infectious disease modeling and data science to join the modelling and inference teams within that Wageningen University and Research (WUR) Pandemic Preparedness Program (ERRAZE). In this program you will work together with ecologists, epidemiologists, data scientists, and social scientists. In the first project, you will co-develop a flexible and actionable framework to create and validate models for a range of (re)emerging zoonotic pathogens in The Netherlands. For the second position, you will use model-based inference tools to quantify the transmission processes that underlie avian influenza transmission between wild and held populations.

Project 1 (6 months): Here, you will co-develop a framework to readily design and implement spatially explicit models for multi-host emerging pathogens. This effort requires the following action: i) the development of a framework to determine the required complexity and spatial scales of the model for different disease systems and research objectives. Ii) the design of the corresponding model architecture . iii) the establishment of a library with modules for the foremost introduction routes and host species to facilitate their inclusion in future modeling efforts. The successful candidate will perform a selection of these three tasks in collaboration with colleagues within WUR and depending on skills and experience level.

Project 2 (1 year): Here, you will develop model-based inference techniques for estimating the contribution to transmission of contacts observed within and between populations in the field. We will further assess the informative value of proxies of such infectious contacts (e.g., eDNA, environmental sampling, wild bird counts) as well as the integration of sequence data (i.e. phylodynamics).
The successful candidate will be part of the ERRAZE program:
https://youtu.be/JKBgpKBmFXE

• A PhD or >3 years of work experience in a relevant field (epidemiology, ecology, mathematical biology, applied mathematics, computer science, physics)
• Interest in working on epidemiological questions of societal relevance
• Experience in mathematical modeling
• Good programming skills in R
• Excited about working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Capable of communicating research to general public and end-users.

Wageningen University & Research is an international organisation. This position requires an excellent English language proficiency (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 2.710,- and € 3.821,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 8-10). Classification depends on education and relevant work experience. Additionally, a contract for parttime employment can be discussed.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the "Best University" in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University and Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 7.200 employees and 13.200 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen's unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.