eera

Research Fellow (Epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in Cameroon)

This is an exciting opportunity for a veterinary epidemiologist to join a vibrant research group based in the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh University and  to live and work in Cameroon. The project is a Wellcome Trust funded study of the epidemiology and phylodynamics of bovine tuberculosis in cattle and their herders in Cameroon. The project is a collaboration between the Roslin Institute, the University of Buea (Cameroon), the Swiss TPH, IRAD (Cameroon) and Ministry of Health Cameroon.

Bovine tuberculosis in an important infectious disease of livestock (particularly cattle), which, has the potential to infect humans exposed to infected milk or meat. This project will collect new data from a random sample of cattle across the three main cattle rearing regions of Cameroon (The North West, the Adamawa and the Extreme North) to identify management (herd-level) and animal-level factors that affect the spatial patterns of disease and which may identify mechanisms to improve control. Furthermore, screening of animals at slaughter will allow the identification of infected animals from which bacteria will be cultured and their specific genetic strain identified. Using the variation in these strains and linking it to management factors and animal movements, we will be able to understand the dynamic spread of the disease and potential critical control points in the production chain that would facilitate disease control. A crucial part of achieving this is having accurate and easy to use screening tests. The diagnostic test data will be analyzed using advanced statistical techniques which consider test interactions and the influence of co-infection to give maximum utility to future application.

The main objectives of the study are to estimate the prevalence of infected cattle using a population based sample of herds using the gamma interferon test; estimate the performance of the test compared to skin testing and the impact of co-infections such as fasciola or BVD; identify the spoligotypes in the cattle population through both milk and abattoir sampling and testing and also to identify strains in the associated human populations.

You must be a veterinary epidemiologist preferably with a PhD and have experience of designing and managing population based field studies ideally in Africa. We will consider applicants with an MSc in epidemiology with sufficient experience. You will be directly responsible for the coordination and collection of the cross-sectional field component of the study in Cameroon and you should expect to spend the majority of your time (2 years) in Cameroon. You will also be responsible for managing the local technical team, the local project finances, vehicle maintenance, database management, report and paper writing. Cameroon is bilingual and conversational French or a willingness to learn is essential. The post holder will be expected to spend time working in remote locations across Cameroon and be familiar with handling cattle. Cameroon is an endemic malarial area and the Cameroon government require a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate on entry to the country.

The position is available for 2 years in the first instance with the possibility of extension into a 3^rd year. The third year would be based mainly in the UK at Roslin carrying out more sophisticated statistically analysis, phylogenetics analysis and modeling.

Salary: £29,972-£35,788

Application procedure

We encourage all applicants to apply online at http://www.jobs.ed.ac.uk/. 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.

Alternatively, call our recruitment line on 0131 650 2511 or email jobs@ed.ac.uk for an application pack. Please complete and return the Application form, including a statement addressing how your application meets the Person Specification, Additional Personal Information Form and Rehabilitation of Offenders Form to Jane Anderson, HR Department, The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG  by the closing date of 27th June 2011. Please complete the equal opportunities form and return in the separate prepaid envelope. We cannot guarantee to consider late applications.

Interviews will be held mid August with the intention for the successful candidate to start work on 1st September or as soon as possible afterwards. The interview will include a short presentation.

For more informal enquiries please contact Mark Bronsvoort (mark.bronsvoort@ed.ac.uk)

Please quote reference no: 3014386

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