Assistant Professor Veterinary Public Health (1.0 FTE)

Job description

The position is part of the research theme Veterinary Quality Control (including food safety) and Quality Assurance using quantitative methods for analysis of “Big Data” in the context of molecular and epidemiological studies to mitigate animal/food associated human health risks. Research is expected to develop innovative ways for assessing risks for food safety, as well as human and animal health and welfare, based on diverse and complex sources of data. For instance, molecular microbial data generated within the context of classical epidemiological studies can be used to explore transmission routes of specific pathogen strains or even the pattern of microbe-host signals within and between human, animal and environmental sources.

Routinely collected data at primary production and at processing are expected to become increasingly more important in quality control and assurance, especially when they can be related to health risks for the consumer, animal health and welfare. Routinely collected data can also support the improvement of existing and development of novel decision rules and algorithms in the context of process safety. Artificial intelligence and deep learning approaches will be particularly important in these applications.

Qualifications

We are looking for:

a veterinarian who has obtained a PhD and has expertise in quantitative epidemiology;

or an epidemiologist who has obtained a PhD with interest in food safety and microbial risks with preferably an epidemiology B qualification;

or a molecular biologist who has obtained a PhD with demonstrable interest in food safety and quality control within a context of epidemiology and public health;

or anyone with comparable expertise. 

The candidate should be a team player with experience in analysis of epidemiological and complexed data including ‘omics’ data. Teaching experience is a plus.

Offer

We offer a temporary full-time appointment for one year, with a possible extension. The gross monthly salary ranges from a minimum of €3,637 to a maximum of €4,978 (i.e. salary scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) on a fulltime basis. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8,3%. Utrecht University offers excellent secondary benefits including collective insurance schemes, an excellent pension scheme and flexible employment conditions. For more information, visit out website: Working at Utrecht University.

About the organization

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.