London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine - Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health
This post is for someone with strong statistical, mathematical modeling and programming skills to join the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (IDE) at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSTHM). The post holder will work on the MRC funded project to calibrate, analyse and apply complex individual-based stochastic models. The PI is Dr Richard White (LSHTM) with co-investigators/collaborators Dr McKinley & Prof Wood (Cambridge University), Prof Goldstein & Dr Vernon (Durham University), Dr Oakley (Sheffield), Prof Kaleebu (MRC/UVRI Research Unit on AIDS in Uganda) and Prof Hayes & Prof Edmunds (LSHTM).
Complex individual-based stochastic models are increasingly being used across science, engineering, medicine and public health. The utility of models for prediction & planning relies on how well they are calibrated to data and analysed for robustness of predictions. However, development of methods for this class of models has greatly lagged behind their application, resulting in unreliable predictions and increasing the probability of incorrect policy and funding decisions. This project will develop and evaluate new methods to calibrate and analyse this class of models, and apply them to explore the impact of HAART on HIV/AIDS in Africa.
This post holder will have a key role within the project. In collaboration with colleagues, the post holder will be expected to extend Bayes linear and fully Bayesian emulation methods for the calibration and analysis of stochastic models, compare the accuracy/efficiency of these new methods with existing (MCMC, ABC) methods, develop and analyse hybrid model calibration strategies combining the strengths of Emulation and ABC, and apply the newly developed methods to predict and quantify uncertainty in the likely impact of HAART on HIV/AIDS in Africa. The post holder will also be expected to maintain effective collaborations and co-ordinate their work in order to meet the objectives of this project. The post involves a range of scientific work and requires a high degree of personal initiative. It will require working with modelers, statisticians and epidemiologists in LSHTM and other organisations. It will also require some overseas travel.
The post is funded full time for an initial period of two and a half years. The appointment will be made on Academic Pathway Grade 6 pay scale (£35,661 -£38,719) per annum inclusive.
Applications should be made on-line via our website jobs.lshtm.ac.uk.(http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk/) The reference for this post is RW12. To discuss the role itself please contact Dr Richard White (richard.white@lshtm.ac.uk). Applications should include the names and email contacts of 2 referees who can be contacted immediately if shortlisted. The post will start on the 1st October 2012. The closing date for this post is at 11.00pm on 14 June 2012.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities employer
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