Senior Model Developer / Postdoctoral Fellow - Disease Modelling and Health Systems Financing

Job No: BI25

Location: Melbourne

Employment Status: Full Time

No. of Vacancies: 1

Closing Date: 18 Dec 2015 AEST

• Leading not-for-profit organisation
• Generous salary packaging available
• Working on global health with the Optima team (see optimamodel.com)

PURPOSE

We are looking to fill a number of positions within the Optima Program, situated within the Burnet’s Centre for Population Health. We are a dynamic, interdisciplinary team working at the forefront of infectious disease modelling and health systems financing. In close partnership with the World Bank and the University of New South Wales, we have developed the ‘Optima HIV’ tool to predict HIV epidemiological trends, link program costs to program coverage and program outcomes, perform scenario analyses, and optimise HIV spending. Optima has already been used by over 30 countries across Eastern Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa to guide resource allocation towards the most cost-effective mix of programs, and to assist with national strategic and operational planning.

We are seeking to bring on board professionals and postdoctoral fellows as we expand into new areas of tuberculosis, nutrition, maternal and child health, and possibly other areas in response to strong international demand for our approach.

Working with the World Bank, international health agencies, and country governments, the position holder will:

• Develop software tools for modelling major communicable and non-communicable diseases;
• Provide modelling and analytical support to governments and donor partners to optimise resource allocations and improve efficiency in the heath sector;
• Facilitate and participate in training and workshops in a wide range of countries;
• Work with a team of mathematical modellers, economists, computer scientists, epidemiologists, and health policy experts on the conceptual development of mathematical and economic models of epidemics of communicable and non-communicable diseases, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop software tools in Python (with possible additional use of JavaScript, Matlab, C/C++, and R)
• Lead the development of realistic mathematical models of HIV and other disease areas, and analyse the models using statistical, mathematical, and numerical techniques
• Communicate with epidemiologists, public health experts, government officials, and global health and international aid agencies
• Oversee and contribute to the preparation of documentation required for project initiation, including scope of work and technical supporting documentation
• Develop and write reports, abstracts, and presentations associated with projects for governments and for internal, national, and international meetings
• Produce, and contribute to the development of, scientific papers
• Provide input into the conceptual direction of projects, including contributions to writing appropriate grant applications
• Coordinate and manage specific research projects with a high degree of autonomy

CRITERIA

You will have:

• Postgraduate degree in mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, or a similar field
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Extensive experience with scientific computing
• Excellent quantitative skills, such as mathematical and/or economic modelling and computer programming
• A successful record of writing for peer-reviewed journals and/or writing of reports for non-expert stakeholders
• Demonstrated research experience, including the ability to undertake independent research projects
• Expertise in infectious disease epidemiology (preferable)
• Expertise in health costing and economics (preferable)
• Evidence of effective mentoring of junior staff and students (preferable)

Benefit from ongoing support, a monthly accrued day off and attractive salary packaging working for this leading not-for-profit organisation.  Remuneration will be commensurate with skills and experience. 

APPLICATIONS

To apply for this position, please complete the details below and attach the following documents:

• Statement addressing the selection criteria (as outlined in the attached position description)
• Resume including the names and contact details of three referees

Applications close 18th December 2015 at 11:30pm AEDT (GMT+11)

Burnet is a child safe organisation. The successful applicant may be required to apply for a Working with Children check and/or criminal record check from the Australian Federal Police.