Epidemiologist

Vacancy Ref: :047079 Closing Date :22-Mar-2019

Contact Person :Jane AndersonContact Number :0131 651 7482

Contact Email :ebcampusHR@ed.ac.uk

An exciting opportunity is available for a postdoctoral veterinary epidemiologist to work on a collaborative project between the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS) and the Worldwide Veterinary Services (WVS) and Mission Rabies (MR) charities. During this three year position, the postholder will work on a Dogs Trust funded project which aims to define the impact of neutering on free roaming dog populations in Goa, India. The postholder will take a lead role in managing a team of fieldworkers and veterinarians who are running a large scale canine neutering programme based at the WVS International Training Centre (ITC) in Goa. Working alongside this established team, the postholder will undertake field research which will allow the impact of neutering at both the individual and population level to be defined. We anticipate that this work will answer one of the most challenging and intractable canine welfare questions, namely how best to manage free roaming dog populations.

The postholder will be based in the vibrant epidemiology, economics and risk analysis (EERA) group based in the Roslin Institute, R(D)SVS. The postholder will be expected to spend periods of time in Goa, India throughout the duration of the project. A PhD in quantitative epidemiology and experience of designing managing and analysing epidemiology studies are requirements for the post. Competence in data management and statistical analysis with R or Python and familiarity with SQL and a GIS system is required. Experience in working in low-income country settings and a veterinary degree are both desirable but not essential. An ability to work effectively as part of a team and ambition to drive forward this important programme of work are essential requirements.

If you would like to discuss the post further please contact Prof Richard Mellanby (Richard.Mellanby@ed.ac.uk), Prof Mark Bronsvoort (Mark.Bronsvoort@roslin.ed.ac.uk) or Dr Stella Mazeri (Stella.Mazeri@ed.ac.uk).

Job Purpose 
To establish the impact of neutering on population dynamics and individual dog welfare in free roaming dog populations in Goa.

Main Responsibilities 
The principal responsibility of the postholder will be to take a leadership role in delivering the Dogs Trust funded project entitled ‘Investigation of the impact of the impact of neutering on the welfare and population dynamics of free roaming dogs.’ The principal aim of this study is define the impact of neutering at both the population and individual dog level. In the first year of the project, the postholder will establish eight study sites, each supporting approximately 1000 dogs, of which four will be randomised to be neutered and four will have no intervention. The population dynamics and welfare of individual dogs will be closely monitored over the next two years using a diverse toolbox of techniques developed by the collaborative team over the past three years. 90%

Support the activities of under- and postgraduate students engaged in tropical epidemiology research in collaboration with Worldwide Veterinary Services and Mission Rabies charities. 10%

Planning and Organising 
The job holder will work as a postdoctoral scientist in the epidemiology, economics and risk analysis (EERA) group based in the Roslin Institute. 
The job holder will also be expected to spend time in India undertaking epidemiology field depending on project requirements. 
The job holder will be expected to take a leadership role in the completion of the progamme of work defined in the recently awarded Dogs Trust grant ‘Investigation of the impact of the impact of neutering on the welfare and population dynamics of free roaming dogs’.

Problem Solving 
The job-holder must provide a safe and practical solution to all epidemiology research challenges presented, seeking assistance and/or advice where appropriate. 
The job-holder will help and advise post graduate or undergraduate students as appropriate in their research project design, management and analyses.

Decision Making 
The job-holder will be expected to make decisions when in the field about data collection strategies and experimental design 
The job-holder will be expected to assist under- and post-graduates decision making during the design of experimental studies and in the collection of data in the field

Key Contacts/Relationships

• Richard Mellanby, Mark Bronsvoort and Stella Mazeri (R(D)SVS and Roslin Institute) 
• Luke Gamble (Worldwide Veterinary Services and Mission Rabies)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed for the Job 
A PhD in quantitative epidemiology (or near completion) 
Experience of designing managing and analysing epidemiology studies 
Competence in data management and statistical analysis with R or Python and familiarity with SQL and a GIS system is required 
Experience working in low-income country settings is desirable but not essential 
A veterinary degree is desirable but not essential 
An ability to work flexibly both as part of a team but also to be self-motivated and directed 
An ability to supervise and support students

Dimensions 
Prof Mellanby, Prof Bronsvoort and Dr Mazeri have a long history of collaboration on a wide range of epidemiology projects. The Bronsvoort group is supported by considerable external grant income and includes several postdoctoral scientists and PhD students. The Bronsvoort group is based in the Roslin Institute which hosts circa 550 scientists and support staff and has annual grant income in excess of £60 million. The WVS International Training Centre in Goa neuters approximately 10 000 dogs each year.

Salary 
The role is grade UE07 and attracts an annual salary of £33,199 to £39,609 for 35 hours each week. Salary is paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally on the 28th of the month. Salaries for part-time staff are calculated on the full-time scales, pro-rata to the Standard Working Week.

This post is available on a fixed term basis, with a working pattern of 35 hours per week for 36 months.

Pension Scheme 
This role is grade UE07 and therefore the post holder is automatically included in membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subject to the USS membership criteria, unless they indicate that they choose not to join the Scheme.

For further information please visit our pension’s website: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/finance/pensions/scheme-details/uss

Eligibility to Work

In accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and Immigration Act 2016 the University of Edinburgh, as an employer, has a legal responsibility to prevent illegal working and therefore must check that all employees are entitled to work in the United Kingdom (UK). 
To do so, the University of Edinburgh requires to see original documents evidencing right to work in the UK before commencement of employment and this is normally carried out at interview. Details will be provided in any letter of invitation to interview.

For further information on eligibility to work please visit our eligibility to work webpage

If you are from outside the EEA and not currently eligible to work in the UK, there are visa routes that may be available to you, for example:

Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent): If you are an academic in the field of sciences; humanities; engineering; medicine; digital technology; or the arts, it may be possible for you to apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. This route requires you to apply to be endorsed as an internationally recognised leader or emerging leader in your particular field by a designated competent body (Arts Council England, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, Tech City UK). However, if you are applying for a senior academic role, e.g. Professor/Reader there is an accelerated route to endorsement. Further information can be found on the UKVI website

Tier 2: The University is a UKVI licensed sponsor and is able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to successful candidates who are offered highly skilled roles and meet the eligibility criteria. The CoS enables candidates to apply for a Tier 2 (general visa).

Further information about whether you require a visa and other visa routes can be found at: www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

Application Procedure 
All applicants should apply online by clicking the “apply” button at the foot of this page. The application process is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application. The online system allows you to submit a CV and other attachments.

Closing date: 22nd March at 5pm.

Interview date 
You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not.

The University reserves the right to vary the candidate information or make no appointment at all. Neither in part, nor in whole does this information form part of any contract between the University and any individual.

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS) (www.vet.ed.ac.uk)

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, headed by Professor David Argyle, has an international reputation for its research, teaching and clinical services. In 2008, The Roslin Institute was incorporated into the University and became the R(D)SVS associated research institute. The School is consistently highly ranked by The Times Higher and the Guardian newspaper. 

The School is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and participates in the Veterinary Medical Colleges Admissions Service (VMCAS). 

The School, (with The Roslin Institute) and Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), were part of a joint submission to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. This submission to Unit of Assessment 6 (Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science) was ranked as number 1 in the UK. The joint submission was the largest to UoA6, with over three quarters of the research outputs submitted judged to be "world leading" or "internationally excellent". Over 80% of the submitted impact studies were scored highly, in addition to which the research environment was scored as 100% at 4*. The REF results saw the School maintain its position as the number 1 ranked vet school for research in the UK. 

The School is a global education provider and has nearly 1,000 undergraduate, postgraduate and research students from a number of different countries. We provide world-class education to improve the health of animals and human beings alike and are leaders in veterinary education, research, and clinical practice, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The Roslin Institute collaborates closely in delivering research-led teaching to undergraduate veterinary students, and promoting clinical veterinary research and translation. The unique association with leading medical and veterinary schools (through the University’s College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine) with a genuine commitment to the concept of One Medicine, also enables the translation of expertise and knowledge into human health and vice versa. 

The School has recently established a new Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security with £35M funding from the University. Its vision is to enhance sustainable development in global agriculture and rural land-based and aquatic economies. This will involve interdisciplinary teaching programmes intended to bridge theory, policy and practice, as well as basic and applied research that complements that of The Roslin Institute. It is forming partnerships across academia, commerce, government, civil society and local communities to form equitable relationships to improve food security.

The School holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of its commitment to advance the representation of women in veterinary medicine. 

 

The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine traces its origins back nearly 500 years (Darwin, Simpson and Conan-Doyle were students here) and is internationally renowned for its research and teaching. Professor Moira Whyte is the Head of College, the only conjoint Medical and Veterinary Medical School in the UK. The College employs over 3000 academic and support staff. The College has two Schools, the Edinburgh Medical School comprising 3 Deaneries; Biomedical Sciences; Molecular Genetic and Population Health Sciences and Clinical Sciences and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences

Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Teaching Organisation

Edinburgh Medical School: Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences

Edinburgh Medical School: Clinical Sciences

The undergraduate medicine teaching programme in the College enjoys a high reputation nationally and internationally, with over 1,300 students enrolled on the MBChB and Intercalated courses and nearly 1000 on the Veterinary Sciences BVS and related programmes. In addition, approximately 2000 students are currently enrolled in the College’s taught and research post-graduate courses, including an extensive range of online distance learning diplomas and degrees. They are trained by over 1000 outstanding academic staff. Details of PhDs, research programmes and studentships are available through our interdisciplinary research institutes and centres.

The academic disciplines within Medicine are largely concentrated in the two teaching hospital campuses, the Royal Infirmary at Little France and the Western General Hospital. Both have extensive new infrastructure with major research institutes and state of the art research facilities on clinical sites. Edinburgh hosts a number of prestigious MRC and BHF Research Centres. The approach is interdisciplinary, with basic and clinical researchers working together at the laboratory bench and in our clinical research facilities to address major themes in basic, clinical and translational medicine.

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies on the Easter Bush Campus houses outstanding teaching and clinical facilities as well as the splendid Roslin Institute, one of the world’s leading veterinary research centres. The College offers outstanding opportunities to address ‘One Health’ and Global Health problems of the highest international priority.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014

The College’s reputation as one of the world’s leading centres of medical and veterinary medical research has been reaffirmed by its UK REF2014 results. Medicine, the University’s largest submission, was ranked in the top 5 in the UK. Veterinary Medicine came 1st in the UK, and retained its position as the UK’s top Vet School. It made a joint submission with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). Neuroscience was ranked 3rd in the UK out of 82 submissions, representing a major advance. Overall, 84% of the College’s research activity was rated world leading or internationally excellent (3* and 4*). In terms of 'one medicine' research (human and animal medicine), the University of Edinburgh's research power (quality x volume) is the strongest in the UK.

 

The University of Edinburgh

For more than four centuries, our people and their achievements have rewritten history time and again. They’ve explored space, revolutionised surgery, published era-defining books, paved the way for life-saving medical breakthroughs and introduced to the world many inventions, discoveries and ideas from penicillin to Dolly the sheep. We have believed that anything is possible, we still do. 
The latest Research Excellence Framework highlighted our place at the forefront of international research. This adds to our international reputation for the quality of our teaching and our student experience excellence. The University is proud of its success with online teaching initiatives, with 2550 students currently studying its online distance learning postgraduate programmes, and a total to date of more than 2 million enrolments for Edinburgh MOOCs.

As a member of staff, you will be part of one of the world's leading universities, with 20 Schools spread over 3 Colleges that offer more than 1600 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate programmes to over 41,000 students each year. Professional services are critical to this success as well as our world-class teaching, research and student facilities. In fact, we are one of the top employers in Edinburgh, with over 14,500 people spread across a wide range of academic and supporting roles. 

As a world-changing, world-leading university, we offer an exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. We give you support, nurture your talent, develop and reward success and integrate academic, professional and personal career goals, as well as give your career the benefit of a great and distinguished reputation. In addition, our employees benefit from a competitive reward package and a wide range of staff benefits, which include generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts and much more. Access our staff benefits page for further information and use our reward calculator to find out the total value of pay and benefits provided.

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment, including flexible working and childcare vouchers. See our University Initiatives website for further information.

University Family Friendly Initiatives

Equality Networks:

Staff Pride Network for LGBT+ colleagues and allies
Disabled Staff Network

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.