Research Fellow in Water Resources and Schistosomiasis Control

Fixed Term Contract for 24 months

We welcome applications from passionate and skilled post-PhD or experienced researchers in malacology, epidemiology, schistosomiasis modelling, or spatial data mapping to join our team developing decision support systems for improved schistosomiasis control during water infrastructure projects.

About the Role

Schistosomiasis often spreads in areas with water management infrastructure like dams, irrigation systems, and reservoirs. As part of a UKRI/NERC Belmont Forum-funded project with Stanford University, Swiss TPH, and partners in Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Kenya, we are seeking a motivated researcher with expertise in malacology, water resources, schistosomiasis control, and/or spatial modelling.

You will study climatic and environmental drivers of schistosomiasis across rural-to-urban settings and develop tools to support targeted interventions. A key focus will be on mapping snail vector distribution near expanding water infrastructure (e.g., sand dams) in Kenya and comparing dynamics across rural, small town, and peri-urban areas.

Working with local and international partners, you will assess how urban planning, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and health surveillance systems address transmission risks. You will also contribute to a modelbase linking transmission risk to environmental, geophysical, and demographic factors through parameter-specific production functions.

This role, based at Cranfield University in the UK, involves substantial fieldwork in Kenya and builds on the university’s strengths in environmental health and water management.

About You

You will have a PhD in malacology, epidemiology, spatial mapping, mathematical modelling or related disciplines and be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of schistosomiasis preparedness and control. You will have interests in how integrated schistosomiasis control measures can be built into water management development. You will have strong analytical skills and desirably some computer modelling experience, an ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and engage confidently with partners. You will have a track record of publishing high impact journal articles, and will have a commitment to scientific rigour, a passion for solving applied problems, and enjoy engaging with experts and opinion-formers in academia and industry.

About Us

You will be based within the Cranfield Water Science Institute but will work closely with our colleagues within the wider Belmont Forum consortium.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                    

For informal enquiries, contact Dr. Sule at May.Sule@cranfield.ac.uk.

For details, email: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk quoting 5109.

Closing date: 19/08/2025

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