£30,122 - £35,937

New approaches for identifying the role of host genetics in infectious disease dynamics of livestock

The post is available within the Genetics and Genomics Division at The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh. This project will focus on developing novel approaches to analyse infectious disease data of domestic livestock populations. In particular, we aim to use dynamic mathematical models of infection dynamics and employ Bayesian inference and computational methods such as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) to identify individuals that genetically impose a high risk for becoming infected and for transmitting infectious agents. The research fellow will also be involved in other projects carried out by the group to assist with the development and application of mathematical models and data analyses to assess within and between host infection dynamics in genetically diverse livestock populations.

The post-holder must have a PhD in a scientific discipline with a substantial quantitative component (e.g. mathematics, statistics, theoretical biology or physics, quantitative genetics), together with evidence of skills and training in mathematical modelling and statistical inference.

The ideal candidate for this post will have:

• Experience of Bayesian statistics, Markov chain Monte Carlo or related techniques and statistical inference for stochastic models.
• Experience in statistical analysis of genetic or epidemiological data.
• Research experience in mathematical modelling and analysis of dynamic processes, and in fitting models to real data.
• Good programming skills and experience in computational simulations.
• A track record of research outputs, publications in the scientific literature and presentations at scientific conferences.
• Experience in collaborating with scientists from other disciplines.
• A strong interest in multi-disciplinary research and in acquiring new skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

This post is available immediately from a mutually agreed start date.

Potential applicants may contact Dr Andrea Doeschl Wilson (Tel: 0131 651 9100, email: Andrea.Wilson@roslin.ed.ac.uk), in confidence to discuss the post.

Ref: 3016152.

Closing date: 17 September 2012.