Position Number: 0064264
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time/Part-time (Negotiable); Fixed-term from 3 to up to 5 years
Faculty: Faculty of Science / MDHS
School: Mathematics and Statistics & Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Salary: Level A – $83,468 - $113,262 p.a. or Level B - $119,231 - $141,581 p.a. plus 17% super

• Conduct interdisciplinary research in infectious disease dynamics using mathematical, statistical, and computational modelling to address public health challenges.
• Collaborate on groundbreaking infectious disease research with a leading team in pandemic preparedness.
• Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!

About the Role
The Research Fellow in Infectious Disease Dynamics will conduct innovative mathematical, statistical, and computational research to study the infection and transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, contributing to a prestigious Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship program. Working within a collaborative team led by Professor James McCaw and Dr. Freya Shearer, the role addresses critical areas such as pandemic preparedness, within-host dynamics, and multi-scale modelling of pathogens with global significance. Successful candidates will have a strong research background in mathematical sciences or a related field and a passion for advancing foundational and applied infectious disease knowledge.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Significantly contribute towards the research effort of the team and develop your research expertise with an increasing degree of autonomy.
• Under the guidance of (Level A) or in collaboration with (Level B) Senior Academic staff, conduct internationally competitive research, resulting in high-quality publications.
• Lead the development of novel mathematical models of infectious disease systems, working on problems in within-host, epidemiological or multi-scale dynamics.
• Pursue research on foundational theory in infectious disease dynamics, in one or more of the areas of mechanistic modelling, computation and simulation, and statistical inference.

Who We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate excels in clear communication, translating technical concepts for diverse audiences, and thrives in collaborative, multidisciplinary team environments. They bring exceptional organisational skills to manage deadlines and drive projects to successful completion.

You will also have:

• A PhD in infectious diseases dynamics, mathematics, or a related area.
• Demonstrated ability to use modelling and/or statistical computing programs and languages such as R, Python, MATLAB or C/C++.
• An established profile in research as a member of a team, as evidenced by the production of research publications, including literature searchers, and drafting manuscripts and presentations at conferences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, administer and see through to completion of appropriately designed research projects with limited supervision.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship may be available for this position. 

Your New Team – School of Mathematics and Statistics & Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

The University of Melbourne's School of Mathematics and Statistics is one of Australia's leading mathematics and statistics schools. It has achieved this status through the high quality of its research and teaching programs. The School offers a wide range of subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students and is involved in aspects of community life that impact on the interests of the School and the discipline.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics has a total of 90 continuing teaching and/or research staff; 37 research-only staff and consultants; 19 academic specialists and 16 support staff. In 2023, there were 143 Research Higher Degree and 189 Coursework Master of Science students. The School has had 10 staff members inducted as Fellows of the Academy of Science.

The Melbourne School of Population and Global Health is a world-class institution that offers an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the field of public health. As the first school of its kind in Australia, MSPGH has built a reputation for excellence in education, research, and knowledge exchange, with a focus on Indigenous peoples. Strong

collaborations with prestigious organisations and institutions provide a unique opportunity to contribute to global health initiatives. As a key member of the MSPGH team, you will have the chance to work alongside leading academics and researchers who bring considerable skills, insights, and expertise. The School offers a range of coursework degrees and research opportunities to contribute to training the next generations of public health specialists and researchers nationally and internationally.

What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!

About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.   

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents: 

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

Please ensure that you apply through the Apply Now button at the bottom of this advertisement. However, if you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Anna Gradoboeva via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.