Postdoc in computational pig disease spread modeling at Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

We are looking for a highly motivated computational postdoctoral researcher at theDepartment ofVeterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen.The position is to be filled from 1 January 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Background

In the control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv) in Denmark, knowledge about within and between farm transmission dynamics is still lacking. The objectives are to develop a within herd and between herds spread model, to assess the relative contribution of between farm PRRSv transmission routes (including airborne spread) through a mechanistic epidemiological model calibrated with PRRSv occurrence, identify risk areas, and estimate the impact of quarantine, biosecurity ((including SPF (specific pathogen free) pig production), and immunization strategies in the disease spread. The mathematical model of PRRSv transmission accounting for spatial proximity, pig movements, and reinfections in sow farms, parametrized on already available data sets. The model outcomes should assist veterinary authorities and the private industry in planning and implementing cost-effective and efficient prevention and control strategies for endemic pig diseases.

Job description

The job consists of research within modeling of pig diseases with the main focus on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The PostDoc will be part of the Section of Animal Welfare and Disease Control (AWD). The PostDoc will bear primary responsibility for programming the stochastic and spatio-temporal simulation spread model for pig diseases, in particular PRRS, although assistance and guidance will be available from supervisors.

The PostDoc responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Development of mechanistic models which explicit consider transmission dynamics in space and time including airborne spread. The focus here is in the development and dissemination of a forecast treatment regimen for precision and optimal resource allocation to help the swine industry to efficiently preempt and manage endemic diseases, in particular PRRS.
• The postdoctoral researcher will fit models to unique data sets that has been available.
• Unravel transmission, estimate epidemic parameters, identify spread determinants and assess the impact of interventions.
• The spatial and temporal dimensions of infectious pig disease outcomes within an environmental epidemiology framework with applications to health surveillance and control programme.
• Incorporation of sequencing data sets in the model.
• Research, including publication/academic dissemination.
• Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate.

Required qualifications and selection criteria
The applicant should hold the professional as well as personal skills and qualifications as stated below:

• A completed PhD degree in Computer science, Quantitative Ecology, Engineering, Maths, Physics, Applied Statistics, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine or in a similar area
• Strong programming skills in R are essential for this position

• Previous experience using revision control systems (e.g. GitHub or GitLab repositories) 
• Good communication skills in English (both oral and written)
• Good personal skills and team player abilities

Place of employment
AWD Section is located on Frederiksberg Campus. Our research environment is highly international and stimulating. We frequently organize seminars, workshops, summer schools with international speakers and have retreats with our international collaborators.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are on average 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of three years. The starting date is January 1, 2023, or after agreement.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 35,000 DKK/approx. 4,700 EUR (October 2021 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Priv. Doz. Beate Conrady ([email protected] ) or Dr. Anette Boklund ([email protected] ); www.sund.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

Deadline for applications: 10/ 10 / 2022, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 45

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Application deadline: 10-10-2022

Employment start: 01-01-2023

Contact: Beate Conrady 

Working hours: Full time

Department/Location: Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.