The Institut Pasteur is renowned for its research, postgraduate studies and continuing education in public and global health. Its mission is to improve health and health equity worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice. The Department of Global Health (Head: Professor Hervé Bourhy; https://research.pasteur.fr/en/department/global-health/) encompasses research activities ranging from basic science to clinical studies, developing a One Health approach. In particular, the department focuses on aspects of antimicrobial resistance and (re)emerging infectious diseases, covering multiple and complementary fields such as: microbial diversity, infectious disease epidemiology and modelling, transmission dynamics, host-pathogen interactions, host-immune response, vaccinology, and resistance to therapeutics.
Within the Global Health Departement, the Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology (LyEN) Unit (lead: Hervé Bourhy; https://research.pasteur.fr/en/team/lyssavirus-epidemiology-and-neuropathology/) develops and supports strategies related to rabies and other infectious diseases that target the central nervous system. The Global Strategic Plan of United Against Rabies Collaboration envisions elimination of human death from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. Through a wide range of collaborative projects on several continents, the LyEN Unit is at the forefront of the Strategic Plan’s aims, through scientific discovery, technical innovation and support to public health in the field of diagnostics, surveillance, treatment and vaccination. The LEN Unit holds a longstanding record of international collaboration in epidemiologic and operational research to optimize rabies control, including in low- and middle-income countries.
The LyEN Unit is seeking a dynamic Junior Scientist (f/m) with interest and experience in field epidemiology and international scientific collaboration.
Activities
The activities of the Junior Scientist will be part of an EU- H2020 funded BlockRabies project “Blockchain high coverage rabies post-exposure prophylaxis to achieve zero human rabies deaths in Africa” (four years duration) (https://blockrabies.net/) and of a World Animal Health Organization funded RACE project “Rabies control and elimination in Cameroun” (five years duration). For all activities related to dog rabies vaccination and control, the candidate will work in close collaboration with Jakob Zinsstag’s laboratory at the Swiss TPH (https://www.swisstph.ch/fr/about/eph/human-and-animal-health)
Under the supervision of Hervé Bourhy, the Junior Scientist will assist the relevant institutions in Mali, Ivory Coast and in Cameroun in developing their rabies elimination strategy. More specifically, she/he will develop/implement an integrated surveillance-response system and a comprehensive rabies elimination program in coordination with the veterinary services and the Public Health sector in the selected pilot areas. She/he will also analyze the drivers governing rabies maintenance and spread, using epidemiological methods on data collected during the described projects. An essential aspect will be the scientific valorization of all achievements.
Profile
Applicants should have a PhD in epidemiology, public health or a related field. Candidates with a Master degree in epidemiology or public health will also be considered, if they can demonstrate a particular relevant experience in scientific projects. A background in biology, veterinary or human medicine will be an asset.
Competencies and skills :
- Autonomy in data analysis using standard epidemiological and biostatistical methods. Skills in specific advanced methods (eg, spatial epidemiology, real time series) would be an asset.
- Some experience in international field activities (data collection, study coordination), preferentially in or in collaboration with African countries.
- Experience in scientific communication (writing manuscripts and presenting research findings at international conferences).
- Experience in project management, coordination of complex projects would be an asset
- Fluency in both French and in English, in written and spoken (minimum level B2).
- Excellent skills in establishing and maintaining trustful working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and communities in various international contexts and settings
- Some experience in phylodynamic analysis will be an asset
- High motivation for scientific excellence
Contract description
Post doctoral Research fellow based in Paris (France)
Salary: (according to salary categories of Institut Pasteur)
Contract: fixed term
Basis: full time
Position available from November 1st, 2022
Duration of the contract: Two years renewable position (maximum duration 4 years)
Please send a cover letter describing past research achievements / training and future research interests, a CV including the list of publications and contact details of 2 reference persons and 2 reference letters to herve.bourhy@pasteur.fr