Senior Research Fellow - Part-Time

As part of the broader national PREPARE programme, this research project will focus on the development of mathematical models to support future preparedness for epidemic threats in Singapore. We will develop pathogen-agnostic epidemiological models that share characteristics associated with the route of transmission focusing on two routes that are significant threats for Singapore – respiratory and mosquito-borne transmission. The models will be used to identify national data needs to support epidemic response and to evaluate early containment options. By taking a systematic and documented approach to code development, we will ensure that the models can be rapidly adapted to account for emerging threats. The research project is a collaborative endeavour between Imperial Global Singapore (IGS) and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

The position is based at the Imperial Global Singapore office located in the CREATE building on the NUS campus. The senior research fellow will join a vibrant cross-faculty interdisciplinary research environment currently hosting approximately 30 researchers working across 5 major programmes. The senior research fellow will also have a formal attachment to the Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis in the School of Public Health at Imperial College London. The mission of the Centre is to be an international resource and centre of excellence for research and training in the epidemiological analysis and modelling of infectious diseases. The Centre has built upon a world-leading research group in the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Imperial College London to undertake applied collaborative work with national and international agencies in support of policy planning and response across a wide range of emerging infectious disease threats and global health challenges.

On a day-to-day basis, the senior research fellow will also work closely with their counterparts on this project at the Centre for Epidemic Research & Modelling (CERM) within the Saw Swee Sock School of Public Health at NUS. The mission of this Centre is to advance the science of infectious disease modelling, inform policies through innovative research, and train the next generation of modellers.

Purpose of the Post

The postholder will work closely with the project PIs to lead the overall direction of the research project. They will work closely with the two research fellows and a research software engineer to develop of a suite of pathogen-agnostic transmission models to capture the range of future potential threats from respiratory and vector-borne pathogens. They will consider the data inputs and needs, working closely with the research associate and wider teams in the PREPARE research programme and Communicable Diseases Agency to identify data needs and gaps. They will additionally work with the PIs to design and evaluate scientific priorities through using the models to evaluate response options for putative “disease X” outbreaks in Singapore, regionally and globally. They will additionally support the training and development activities associated with the project, including managing the design and delivery of workshops with relevant Singaporean stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

To lead the Imperial Global Singapore contribution in this research collaboration:

• To take initiative in the planning and leading of research in this project and contribute to wider projects as appropriate
• To manage multi-stakeholder collaborations for the project with the PREPARE research teams and Communicable Disease Agency staff
• To monitor and ensure effective management of assets and budgets allocated as part of the role
• To manage the overall research project delivery and reporting to funders and wider stakeholders
• To support training and capacity building in modelling including workshop delivery and supervision of junior staff
  
  Research Duties:
• To lead the overall transmission model framework development, assisting the research fellows on the project to develop frameworks that are comparable for the different transmission routes, have clear linkage to data input, and generate appropriate outputs to support public health decision-making
• To work with the project PIs to develop and address scientific priority questions aligned with response options for putative “disease X” outbreak scenarios
• To oversee the work of research fellows and research associate associated with this project, including providing day-to-day supervision alongside the project PIs
• To support the Imperial and NUS PIs and other related academic staff working in this area as needed
• To draft reports for submission to research sponsors
• To present findings via publications to referred journals and to colleagues at conferences
• To provide guidance to staff and students
• To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary
• To develop contacts and research collaborations within the research and wider community in Singapore
• To develop and maintain connections with relevant Centre staff in London working on related projects
• To promote the reputation of Imperial Global Singapore
  
  Other Duties
• To undertake appropriate administration tasks
• Contribute to departmental management as required
• To attend relevant meetings nationally and internationally
• To undertake any necessary training and/or development

Person Specification

Requirements

Candidates/post holders will be expected to demonstrate the following: Essential (E) / Desirable (D)

Education

PhD in infectious disease epidemiology, mathematical modelling, statistics or related subject or a similar quantitative discipline (E)

Knowledge & Experience

Experience in epidemiological data analysis for infectious diseases (E)

Experience in infectious disease transmission dynamic modelling (E)

Experience with reviewing, analysing and synthesising scientific papers and reports (E)

Experience of working with external collaborators (E)

Experience in leading and managing collaborations (D)

Experience working with government officials, technical staff and policymakers (E)

Previous work with public health bodies and/or UN agencies and/or ministries of health (D)

Experience in presenting results to specialist and non-specialist audiences (E)

Experience in using Github as a collaborative coding environment (E)

Skills & Abilities

Strong programming skills, ideally with experience in R and R packages (E)

Highly developed interpersonal skills (E)

Ability to research new areas of public health or epidemiology, synthesise information, and summarise it formally (E)

The ability to work independently (E)

Project management skills: ability to effectively coordinate teams of researchers (E)

Ability to interact with policy makers and other academics (E)

Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people (E)

Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication (E)

Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines (E)

Creative approach to problem-solving (E)

Demonstrated ability to be creative, proactive, and solve problems (E)

Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative (E)

Willingness to travel both abroad (to UK and elsewhere) to conduct research and attend conferences (E)

Discipline and regard for confidentiality and data security at all times (E)

Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role (E)

Further Information

This role is full time and fixed term for 18 months.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Professor Azra Ghani at [email protected].

Questions about the recruitment process, should go to the HR at Imperial Global Singapore [email protected].   

To apply, please attach a one-page cover letter outlining your motivation for applying and how your expertise fits with the job description, and a CV including the names and contact details for two referees who can provide letters of recommendation.

Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Imperial Global Singapore is committed to Imperial’s equality and diversity frameworks. Our values are at the root of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate Imperial:

•  Respect
•  Collaboration
•  Excellence
•  Integrity
•  Innovation

Employees are also required to comply with all Imperial Global Singapore’s policies and regulations.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.

Imperial Global Singapore observes the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/

Imperial Global Singapore believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes which are ultimately aimed towards finding new treatments and making scientific and medical advances, and where there are no satisfactory or reasonably practical alternatives to their use. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in our care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level. Find out more about animal research at Imperial.