We are seeking a postdoctoral research fellow with experience in the analysis of satellite and aerial images to join a Wellcome Trust funded project that will examine environmental and socio-economic drivers of risk from rodent-borne zoonoses in Madagascar.
Rodents are reservoirs of many zoonoses and their commensal nature and widespread distribution facilitates disease transfer between wild animals, livestock and humans. The project will compare rodent-borne zoonoses with contrasting transmission routes, examining factors associated with exposure risk in both rodents and humans. The diseases to be studied include plague, hantavirus, leptospirosis and murine typhus. The project will analyse archived data and collect new data on rodent and human infections. The postdoc will use remote sensing data to characterise climate and land- use and investigate how different factors influence infection prevalence. The position requires expertise in the treatment and analysis of satellite and aerial images, and experience of spatial and advanced statistical analysis of ecological or epidemiological data (with R or other software). The project is a collaboration with the Insitut Pasteur de Madagascar and the successful applicant will be expected to spend significant amounts of time in Madagascar, including some time with field teams. Experience of working in inter-disciplinary teams and the ability to communicate in French are strongly desirable. As this post is funded by the Wellcome Trust it will be offered for a period of 3 years. This appointment will be made subject to the usual terms and conditions of employment of the University. Salary will be paid at the rate of £30,122 per annum, the first point on Grade 6 of the University’s Salary Scale. Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Sandra Telfer ([email protected]). To apply online for this position visit www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs, click on "External applicants" and search for the job reference number below under School of Biological Sciences. Job Reference Number: YBS526R The closing date for the receipt of applications is 27 March 2011. Interviews will take place in early April.
