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Job Title:  Senior Mathematical Modeler – Disease Burden Analysis    

Organisation: Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About Organisation:

Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) is an independently governed institute within the College of Health Sciences at Makerere University and has the mission “To strengthen health systems in Africa, with a strong emphasis on infectious diseases, through research and capacity development.” IDI has operations across Uganda as well as in a number of other African countries and has a staffing of over 1,000 managing multiple projects in research, clinical services, public health and training.

Job Summary: The Infectious Diseases Institute is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Mathematical Modeler to lead the development and application of mathematical models for analyzing disease burden and projecting disease trends in Uganda and some selected African regions. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in defining scientific questions, refining analysis methods, and identifying literature and data sources for the project. Working closely with a senior statistician and epidemiologist, the Senior Mathematical Modeler will be responsible for conducting literature searches, scoping reviews, and synthesizing findings into high-level scientific reports. The primary objective of this role is to utilize mathematical modeling to inform health programming, planning, and policy decisions on the African continent.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to define research questions, study objectives, and modeling approaches for disease burden assessment and projection in Africa.
• Lead literature searches and scoping reviews to identify relevant studies, datasets, and evidence sources related to disease transmission dynamics, epidemiological trends, and intervention effectiveness.
• Develop and implement mathematical models to forecast disease burden, analyze disease transmission dynamics, and evaluate the impact of interventions on disease control and prevention.
• Work closely with a senior statistician and epidemiologist to integrate mathematical modeling outputs with statistical analyses and epidemiological insights for scientific reporting.
• Conduct comprehensive data synthesis and interpretation, including model calibration, validation, sensitivity analysis, and scenario modeling.
• Write and contribute to the development of scientific reports, manuscripts, and presentations summarizing key modeling findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals and dissemination to high-level scientific audiences.
• Serve as a technical liaison with donor agencies, collaborators, and stakeholders to ensure alignment of modeling efforts with strategic priorities and funding requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff members involved in mathematical modeling, data analysis, and report writing activities.
• Stay abreast of advancements in mathematical modeling methodologies, data science techniques, and public health research, integrating new approaches into project activities.
• Work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to meet project timelines and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Data Science, Statistics, Epidemiology, Data Science, or a related field. A Ph.D. is desirable but not mandatory.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and applying mathematical models for disease transmission, forecasting disease burden, and analyzing public health interventions.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects, international organizations, or research consortia focused on health programming and planning in Africa is advantageous.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in additional languages commonly spoken in Africa is desirable.
• Proven track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals and active engagement with the scientific community, particularly in the field of infectious diseases or global health.

Required Skills:

• Strong technical skills in mathematical modeling, data science, machine learning, and statistical analysis, with proficiency in relevant software tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Stata, and other programming languages). Experience in than one programming language is an added advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences in a clear and compelling manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment, with strong organizational and time management skills.

How to Apply:

All interested candidates should submit a comprehensive CV, a cover letter outlining their relevant experience and qualifications, and contact information for three professional references to the IDI Human Resources Director. Candidates are also requested to include in their CV links to their previously authored scientific documents, including manuscripts, reports, or grant proposals. Apply at the link below.

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Deadline: 1st July 2024

NB: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

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