PhD Candidate in Malaria/NTDs Modeling at Federal University Oye-Ekiti

About the job
TITLE: PhD Candidate in Malaria/NTDs Modeling

LOCATION: International Centre for Applied Mathematical Modelling and Data Analytics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we have established the West Africa mathematical Modeling CApacity Development (WAMCAD): Anglophone-francophone-lusophone partnership, comprising several international research institutions. Our objective is to enhance technical capacity development in malaria and NTD modeling through a multi-track training program targeting multiple career stages from students to faculty as well as malaria control practitioners. We are therefore recruiting highly motivated individuals who want to develop statistical and mathematical modelling skills for malaria and NTDs modelling research.

Candidates will explore the fascinating potential of mathematical modelling to support National Malaria Control Programmes (NMCPs).

The International Centre for Applied Mathematical Modelling and Data Analytics at the Federal University Oye Ekiti Ekiti State, Nigeria is looking for great people with strong quantitative skills and an interest in global health to come work with us! Previous malaria or infectious disease experience a plus but not required.

We seek a PhD candidate to work on the development, refinement, and application of sophisticated infectious disease models for epidemiological research and intervention-campaign planning. As part of the brand-new malaria modeling team at the Federal University Oye Ekiti, you will analyze field, trial, and routine health system data; configure, calibrate, and apply malaria/NTDs transmission models; and design and build new models to answer questions aimed at improving understanding of disease dynamics, informing effective public health campaigns, and guiding rational development of new public-health interventions.

Our team collaborates with academic, NGO, and the National Malaria Control Programs (NMCP), Nigeria, including the Global Malaria Programme at the World Health Organization. As part of the WAMCAD, we work with other leaders in malaria modeling to advise the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), Abuja, Nigeria on global eradication strategy. Our offices are located at the Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Condition of Award for full time PhD Candidate:

Salary will be same for all PhDs and include travel to conferences and funding for relevant courses.
Requirements for full time PhD Candidate:

• An MSc degree in a quantitative field (e.g. Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Epidemiology, Quantitative Biology, Physics, Computer Science)
• Experience in numerical analysis, dynamical systems, stochastic processes, machine learning, and/or biostatistics
• Proficiency in at least one data-analysis or scripting language (e.g. MATLAB, Python, R)
• Strong mathematical and statistical modelling skills
• Clear and effective communication of quantitative work to non-experts with good English speaking and writing skills
• Ability to work occasional extended hours to meet a deadline
• Ability to work productively as part of a small team as well as independently drive a project to completion
• Be willing to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Willingness to work for short periods outside Nigeria

Optional Skills:

• In depth knowledge of the malaria disease system
• In depth knowledge of issues of public health in developing world settings
• In depth knowledge of principles, techniques, and tools of computational epidemiology
• Experience in C/C++ software development
• Please submit your application online via the link provided below:
• If you are interested, please submit your application with:
• Motivation letter
• CV
• Publication list
• Reference letters and diploma
• Names and contact information (email or phone) of 2-3 referees
• Transcripts

WAMCAD site includes:

• International Centre for Applied Modeling and Data Analytics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
• Site director: Assoc. Prof Emmanuel Afolabi Bakare emmanuel.bakare@fuoye.edu.ng

Deadline for receiving applications is 23rd September 2022 at 12:00pm GMT West African Time