IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Research Associate (SM101-10)
School:
Public Health
Department:
MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling;
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Job Family/Level:
Research and Education, Level B
Salary Range:
£26,720 - £33,080 per annum
Contract:
Full-time, fixed term until 31 March 2012
Reporting to:
Dr Nicholas Grassly
Location:
St Mary’s Campus, Paddington
The Post
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has made great progress towards the vision of
a world without polio. Just four countries have yet to stop transmission (India, Nigeria,
Afghanistan & Pakistan) and many parts of the world are now free of wild poliovirus.
However, persistent transmission in these remaining endemic countries and re-infection of
previously polio-free countries continues to delay eradication and escalate the costs of the
initiative. Despite fifty years of the Salk (injected) and Sabin (oral) poliovirus vaccines,
important questions remain about the effectiveness of these vaccines to prevent disease and
stop transmission in remaining endemic countries. These questions concern the degree of
humoral and mucosal immunity induced by Sabin vaccines in developing countries and the
significance of waning mucosal immunity (J Infect Dis 2009, 200: 794-801), the epidemiology
and clinical features of vaccine-derived polioviruses (J Infect Dis 2008, 197: 347–354), the
effectiveness of newly licensed monovalent and bivalent oral vaccines (Lancet 2007, 369:
1356-1362; New Engl J Med 2008, 359: 1666-1674) and the optimal choice of vaccines to
respond to wild poliovirus dynamics and achieve eradication (Science 2006 314: 1150-1153).
This is an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher to join a small group working
with Dr Nick Grassly at Imperial College London on the epidemiology of poliovirus. The post
is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who support a Vaccine Modelling
Initiative headed by Professor Neil Ferguson at Imperial College London, Professor Bryan
Grenfell at Princeton University and Professor Don Burke at University of Pittsburgh. Work
will be carried out in close collaboration with the GPEI and national governments and is
expected to play a significant role in informing policy. The work will focus on the
mathematical and statistical analysis of detailed surveillance data on children with acute
flaccid paralysis along with environmental and demographic data. There may also be an
opportunity to become involved in ongoing and planned field studies of poliovirus
epidemiology. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Grassly
(n.grassly@imperial.ac.uk) to discuss the remit for this post in more detail prior to submitting
a formal application.
Key Responsibilities
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Statistical and mathematical analysis of polio surveillance data
Design and analysis of studies to address outstanding questions about poliovirus
epidemiology and impact of immunisation on humoral and mucosal immunity
Presentation and discussion of research findings with the GPEI, national
governments and the Vaccine Modelling Initiative
Support of immunisation planning to achieve eradication of wild poliovirus and close
collaboration with the GPEI and its spearheading partners (particularly the WHO and
US Centers for Disease Control)
Comply with relevant College policies, including Financial Regulations, Equal
Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and Safety Policy,
Information Systems Security Policy and Intellectual Property Rights and Register of
Interests Policies
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Post holders are expected to observe and comply with all College policies and
regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in our
Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and
Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications
Essential
 PhD in epidemiology, statistics, mathematical biology or related discipline
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
 Research background in epidemiology, public health, biology or related discipline
 Publication in scientific journals
 Understanding of reasonably advanced statistics
Desirable
 Research background in infectious disease epidemiology
 Experience with mathematical models
 Experience in infectious disease epidemiology and public health in developing
countries
 An understanding of poliovirus epidemiology
Skills and Abilities
Essential
 Familiarity with statistical packages (preferably R) and Excel
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Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills, and ability to deal with a
wide range of people
Excellent written communication skills and ability to write clearly and succinctly for
publication
Ability to organise own work under minimum supervision
Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
Desirable
 Ability to computer program (e.g. C or R language)
 Willingness to travel internationally
 Ability to work constructively and effectively within a team
 Ability to work independently and use own initiative
APPLICATION GUIDANCE
Please read the person specification carefully and describe, as part of your application, how
much you feel you meet each of the criteria.
If you attach a CV it should include the following information:
Applicant’s full name, private address and private telephone number
A confidential fax number and e-mail address, where possible
Degrees (including University and dates)
Past and present posts
List of publications
Brief description of future research plans
Names, addresses and, email, fax numbers, of three referees.
Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.