Vacature: Postdoctoral researcher ‘Readying regional mobility data for modelling pandemic preparedness’
Job description
Mobility of people between municipalities and regions plays a significant role in the spread and control of infectious diseases. Existing computational models for the spread of infectious diseases fail to adequately capture the role of regional mobility, or such models focus only on a limited set of types of mobility. Although there is a wealth of Dutch mobility data, much of its potential for pandemic preparedness remains untapped due to limited accessibility, which is often related to privacy considerations and the intrinsic complexity and sheer scale of such data. Therefore, the R2M2P2 project aims to map, prepare, and analyse Dutch regional mobility data for use in modeling infectious diseases. To achieve this goal, an infrastructure will be established in which (micro)data will be processed in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG) and made available in a usable and securely aggregated format.
The postdoctoral researcher will work on the R2M2P2 project, which is funded by ZonMw.
Their work will be to:
- Develop a new analytic pipeline to provide infectious disease modellers access to mobility data in a GDPR-compliant format that is still usable for modelling.
- Work towards periodical updating and availability of crucial mobility data, which will facilitate more prospectively oriented mobility-related research.
- Engage with societal stakeholders right from the start through to the end of the project, to ensure that the project will result in a relevant and implementable solution towards the better use of mobility data in infectious disease modelling for pandemic preparedness and control.
The R2M2P2 is a consortium project and as such, the postdoc will collaborate closely with several other academic and societal partners, such as Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, ODISSEI, CBS, Nationaal Dataportaal Wegverkeer, RIVM, The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and others. For the positions advertised here, the candidate will be based at the Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands. There, they will be supervised by Assistant Professor Luc E. Coffeng as part of the research section Infectious Disease Control.
Work environment
At the department of Public Health, we are dedicated to improve population health at local, national, and international level through excellent research and education. Our research is characterised as highly multidisciplinary and is focused on the development and use of innovative methods. Collaboration with and direct impact on practice and policy are at the heart of our work. Within the department, the research unit Infectious Disease Control is an internationally leading group in mathematical modelling of transmission and control of parasite, bacterial, and viral infections, with long-standing expertise in individual-based modelling.
Qualifications and skills
The position is offered to PhD graduates in Epidemiology, Mathematics, Biostatistics, Medical Statistics, Econometrics, Logistics, Computer Science, or a related field.
Key skills that the candidate will be developing and working with several different datasets (some of which very large), setting up analytic pipelines for data processing and analysis, high performance computing (e.g., on the ODISSEI infrastructure), scientific communication (oral and written), and interacting with societal stakeholders and experts from various scientific disciplines.
We offer the opportunity for candidates to deepen their affinity and acquire further experience with infectious disease modelling, uncertainty quantification and propagation, cross-disciplinary communication, and efficiently exploring and adopting new subject matter. The department further highly supports candidates who want to further develop their skills in acquisition, leadership, goal-oriented working, creativity, initiative, engagement, vision, and visibility.
The candidate should have good command of the English language, both verbally and in writing. Command of the Dutch language is not strictly required, it is strongly appreciated given the regular interactions with many different Dutch stakeholders in the field of mobility.
Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.
Terms of employment
- The postdoctoral researcher is required to base themselves in The Netherlands. Working from home is possible for up to 3 days per week.
- You will receive a temporary position for 15 months.
- The gross monthly salary amounts € 5.504,- (scale 10), depending on your level of education and relevant experience and based on a fulltime working week of 36 hours.
- Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and a individual travel expense package.
- An International Office which aids you in preparing for you arrival and stay.
- Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
- Special benefits, such as a incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.
More information
For more information about this position, please contact dr. Luc Coffeng, assistant professor, via l.coffeng@erasmusmc.nl.
No agencies please.