Health Economist and Infectious Disease Modeller

Job overview

This post sits in the HCAI & AMR Modelling and Evaluations Unit at the UKHSA, a dynamic and stimulating group comprising infectious disease modellers and health economists working on diverse projects relating to the burden of infectious disease and modelling the impact of interventions against infections, both nationally and internationally. The work of the Modelling and Evaluations Unit is frequently used to inform policy, close working with policy colleagues is often required. It is a world leader in its field and has numerous collaborative links with external academic and non-academic institutes and other public health agencies, WHO and others. 

The Unit sits within the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) Division in the Chief Medical Advisor’s group. Our mission is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and evidence-based interventions.

Main duties of the job

• Lead development of mathematical and health economic models related to the transmission and control of HCAI and AMR infections 
• Lead in the parameterisation of the models through identification, use and analysis of complex datasets, synthesizing multiple evidence sources, and using a range of software  
• Develop and use models to further our understanding of HCAI and AMR infections and their associated costs
• Develop models to assess the (cost-)effectiveness of intervention strategies   
• Work and communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team and collaborate effectively with UK and international colleagues
• Disseminate work for impact e.g. through (inter)national meetings and peer-reviewed publication

There is one Fixed Term Appointment and one Permanent appointment available. The Fixed Term post is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) as part of its establishment of number of Health Protection Research Units (HPRU) in key priority areas. The HPRU in HCAI & AMR is a multi-disciplinary partnership between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the University of Oxford, that will continue to find original and creative ways to combat the major threats posed by healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance, in strong collaboration with representatives of patients, the public and the NHS.

Essential criteria:

• Masters degree in a relevant subject e.g. economics, mathematics, statistics, modelling, or equivalent relevant research experience in quantitative science, public health or policy analysis. 
• Economic, mathematical, or statistical modelling experience.
• Strong skills in analysis and interpretation of data.
• Knowledge and familiarity of programming with statistical packages and scientific programming (for example in R).
• Management, analysis, interpretation and reporting of complex datasets.
• Demonstrate good interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team member (in a multi-disciplinary team).
• Demonstrated capability to take initiative and plan own work programme.

Desirable criteria:

• Knowledge and experience of the application of health economics in the field of infectious diseases.
• Scientific writing including peer review publications.
• Experience in critical appraisal and synthesis of evidence sources.
• Experience of working on collaborative projects.
• Communication of complex ideas and methods clearly and succinctly to a wide range of audiences with differing technical backgrounds.
• Understanding of data validity, reliability and confidentiality issues.
• Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making.
• Able to demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and methodological rigour as appropriate including the ability to identify, formulate and solve problems.

 To apply please click the 'Apply' button above.

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