Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Infectious disease / Global Health

About us

The UCL Centre for Clinical Microbiology (CCM) has obtained funding from The European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP http://www.edctp.org) to expand the work of Professor Ali Zumla and Professor Tim McHugh in building Africa-Europe research and training networks on TB, HIV, Malaria, and for tackling emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases with epidemic potential through 2 awards PRESERVE and SPHERE-AFRICA.

Led by Prof Francine Ntoumi (Fondation Congolaise pour la Recherche Médicale, Brazzaville, Rep Congo) the PRESERVE action, aims to transform epidemic preparedness in Central Africa by embedding a One Health approach across research, surveillance, and response systems to address Central Africa’s public health challenges, including strengthening capabilities of National public Health laboratories. To this end, the project will strengthen expertise, training, partnerships, and infrastructure to build resilient Regional Clinical Research and Epidemic Preparedness Networks in Central Africa. CCM is providing expertise in the molecular diagnosis and epidemiology of infectious diseases, scientific skills training for early career researchers and mentorship for investigators transitioning to leadership roles.

The consortium aims to strengthen, regional and pan-African capacities and systems for enabling rapid and effective response to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases threats arising from within Africa, or those imported from overseas. Whilst the initial focus for CCM is on zoonotic tuberculosis in Zambia, PRESERVE’s remit is to respond to the changing infectious disease landscape and as threats emerge our focus will change.

Complimentary to PRESERVE, we also have funding for SPHERE-AFRICA which addresses the capacity of public health institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa to prevent, detect early, and respond effectively to infectious disease outbreaks remains constrained. Led by Prof Peter Nysasulu (Stellenbosch University, South Africa) SPHERE-AFRICA addresses the critical gap in the availability, accessibility, and utilization of data to drive informed decision-making for epidemic preparedness and response by enhancing epidemiological and data science capacity in SSA. CCM will support training in infectious diseases and bioinformatics.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Infectious Disease / Global Health to support research and training activities across the PRESERVE and SPHERE-AFRICA networks.

The successful candidate will lead defined programmes of work that strengthen infectious disease research capacity, support laboratory and surveillance networks, and contribute to epidemic preparedness initiatives. The role combines research, bioinformatics, laboratory science and international collaboration, providing an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of global health, infectious disease diagnostics and capacity development.

You will contribute to the delivery of high-quality research, develop and provide training materials, support the management of laboratory activities, supervise students, and collaborate with a diverse network of researchers and public health professionals. The role will involve international travel to partner sites for training, project support and network development activities.

About you

You will hold a PhD (or equivalent) in microbiology, virology, immunology or a related discipline and have experience conducting research within infectious diseases, molecular biology and/or global health settings.

You will bring strong bioinformatics expertise, including experience analysing high-throughput sequencing data, proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, Linux/Unix command-line skills, and the ability to develop reproducible analytical workflows. Experience with infectious disease laboratory techniques, sequencing technologies and biological data analysis is essential.

We are looking for an excellent communicator who can work effectively with international collaborators, contribute to training and capacity-building activities, and present complex scientific information to a range of audiences. Knowledge of GCP/GCLP, health and safety requirements for working with hazardous pathogens, and a commitment to inclusivity, diversity and collaborative working will be key to success in this role.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details. Please also read the attached Candidate Guidance document.

All applications must include a supporting statement, telling us, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria listed in the job description. Applications without a supporting statement will be rejected.

If you have any queries about the role or application process, technical issues, or need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, please contact the staffing team at hr.ii@ucl.ac.uk.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)

• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme

• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)

• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan

• Immigration loan

• Relocation scheme for certain posts

• On-site nursery

• On-site gym

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.