Research Associate

Research Associate

College of MVLS

School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

GRADE 7

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to the Bill and Melinda Gates-Funded Programme “Learning to eliminate dominant malaria vectors” working with Professor Fredros Okumu, Professor Jason Matthiopoulos and Professor Heather Ferguson at the University of Glasgow and colleagues at the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania

This PDRA post will be embedded within this programme with the goals of developing a comprehensive understanding of the conditions under which local populations of major malaria populations can be significantly suppressed or eliminated; and exploring pathways to deliberately accelerate such extirpations).

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of research to analyze long-term datasets on vector dynamics, behaviours, and life histories; with a primary focus on using statistical and ecological modelling techniques to understand the drivers of vector population declines.

2.      Take a leading role in carrying out in-depth literature reviews and evidence synthesis relating to selected case studies of malaria vector decline. This will involve addressing project-related research challenges, and formulating effective research strategies.

3.      Assisting with targeted field studies in East and Southern Africa region as required to generate new data for models of malaria vector populations and behaviour

4.      Collaborate with entomologists, ecologists, and anthropologists to integrate multidisciplinary approaches into the project's framework. Foster and manage collaborations with colleagues, academic partners, and industry stakeholders to bolster research initiatives.

5.      Manage and organize the extensive datasets collected during the project for further analysis and sharing with the research team.

6.      Write research papers, reports, and presenting findings at conferences to disseminate the project's results to the scientific community and stakeholders.

7.      Assist with the training and mentoring of junior researchers and contributing to the expansion of scientific expertise in the field of vector-borne diseases.

8.      Lead the planning and execution of research projects aligned with project goals and the university's research strategy.

9.      Document research outcomes comprehensively, including data analysis, interpretation, and the creation of technical reports and papers.

10.   Present research findings at national and international conferences, as well as internal and external events, to advance the research group's visibility.

11.   Actively engage in team meetings, seminars, and workshops to contribute to the collective

12.   Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory

13.   Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute

14.   Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing the World.

Qualifications

Essential:

A1. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 [PhD] or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience related to quantitative ecology, epidemiology or a related quantitative subject with a biological focus.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential:

B1 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of ecology, population dynamics, entomology or related areas.

B2 In particular, we seek population ecologists who have expertise in population viability, species extripations, the distinctions between small and declining populations. We encourage researchers with a good grasp of the theoretical principles of population dynamics and stochastic processes, but also scientists who have the capability to fit such complex models to data

B3 Knowledge of project-specific technical skills including population dynamics modelling, and a strong aptitude for qualitative research/stakeholder engagement (finding one person with both skill sets is ideal but not mandatory).

B4 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, including independent research in a related field.

B5 Willingness to work with and visit collaborators in East or Southern Africa for approximately 4-6 weeks per year and actively participate in the training of postgraduate students.

Desirable

C1 Specialist knowledge of malaria vector ecology, control, or epidemiology, demonstrating expertise in these specific areas.

C2 Specialist knowledge of vector population dynamic modeling, with a strong track record of applying modelling techniques to vector-related research.

C3 Familiarity with Bayesian modelling in open-source software platforms (STAN, JAGS, Nimble)

C4 General ability to manipulate large data sets in R and GIS.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

E2 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

E3 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

E4 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and analysis of experiments and drafting of papers.

E5 Experience in undertaking independent research related to quantitative ecology or epidemiology.

Desirable

F1. Experience of conducting modelling analyses of mosquito vector populations  F2 Experience working with multiple partners either in academia or in malaria endemic countries

Additional Information

The aim of this programme is to establish a multidisciplinary framework to examine the feasibility of targeting and eliminating certain predominant Anopheles species from specific localities in Africa. This will be achieved through integration of entomological studies, quantitative ecology, mathematical/statistical modeling and anthropological research to understand the stability of malaria vector populations in Africa in response to interventions and environmental variation, and causes of their historical decline.  Information generated will be used to identify which factors drive vector elimination, how declining populations can be monitored, and which deliberate interventions can accelerate the elimination process.

The post holder would work closely with researchers at the University of Glasgow and other partner institutes in east and southern Africa. The holder will be embedded within the research groups of Profs Fredros Okumu, Heather Ferguson and Jason Matthiopoulos within the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary.  In addition to research, the post holder will be expected to contribute to the training and supervision of Early Career Researchers from partner Institutes in Tanzania and elsewhere.  The post holder will have opportunity to spend time at the research institutes in Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique where related field activities are taking place.

Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. As we are a merging of two Athena Swan Silver award winning bodies (the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine) we aim to achieve an Athena Swan award for the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

The award demonstrates our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education.  The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/athenaswan/

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences re-shaped to create 8 new Schools that bring staff together around thematic strengths, across the strategic pillars of education, research and innovation.  More information on the College re-shape can be accessed here: MVLS 2025.  The new College shape took effect from 1 August 2022 and this post will be based in the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine.

http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/mvls2025/

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for until 31 October 2026, with possibility of further extension.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.