Research Fellow in Global Influenza Dynamics

**Job no**: 0057620
**Location**:Parkville
**Role type**:Full-time; Fixed-term for 12 months with an extension possible
**Faculty**:Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
**Department/School**:Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
**Salary**:Level A - $77,171 - $104,717 p.a. plus 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

**About - Melbourne School of Population and Global Health**

The Melbourne School of Population Health was established in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences in 2001. It became the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health in 2013. Approximately 300 academic and professional staff work across the School and its partner agencies. The School’s total budget is in excess of $50m. There are approximately 120 higher degree research students (predominantly PhD).

The School aims to strengthen the understanding, capacity and services of society to meet population health needs and to improve the quality and equity of health care. It employs a population health framework that incorporates public health and preventative medicine, health promotion, clinical medicine and allied healthcare disciplines and an equity and evidence-based approach to health care and health policy.

**About the Role**
The Research Fellow in Global Influenza Dynamics will undertake an integrated program of research in the mathematical sciences to study the global circulation of influenza viruses, with the aim to understand the emergence and impact of different strains in time and space. The role of antigenic drift, multi-strain dynamics, immune development and cross-protection will be considered and their potential roles in shaping global influenza dynamics will be investigated.

Data sources, including but not limited to serological data, infection data and genomic data, will be drawn upon to inform model parametisation. Applications in terms of improved epidemic forecasting for seasonal epidemics and/or strategies for enhancing annual vaccination strain selection processes may be considered.

Responsibilities include:

- Leading the development of a novel mathematical or computational model of global influenza dynamics, accounting for antigenic drift and how past exposure and/or vaccination shapes immunity and protection from infection
- Contributing to ongoing research on how to better prepare for and respond to seasonal influenza epidemics, through contributions to the fundamental understanding of global influenza transmission dynamics, improved epidemic forecasting capabilities and scientific support for annual vaccine strain selection.
- Providing service to the University and actively participate in meetings and committees as requested.

**About You**
You will have completed (or be nearing completion) a PhD in infectious disease dynamics, applied mathematics, or a closely related field of research, with a developing or established profile in research as a member of a team. You will have sound written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical material to a range of less or non-technical stakeholders from both a research and policy environment.

You will also have:

- Completion of a PhD in infectious diseases dynamics, modelling, data analytics or a related area.
- Demonstrated ability to use modelling and statistical computing programs and languages such as R, python, MATLAB or C/C++.
- A developing profile in research as a member of a team, as evidenced by the production of research publications, including literature searchers, and drafting manuscripts and presentations at conferences.
- Demonstrated potential for a career in multi-disciplinary research as evidenced by active contribution to research projects or other professional activities with multiple and diverse stakeholders.

**Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia.**

**About the University**
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

**Benefits of Working with Us**
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

- Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
- Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
- Free and subsidised health and wellbeing