The International Health Unit of the department Epidemiology and Social Medicine of the faculty of Medicine at the University of Antwerp has the following position available:

Full time scientific assistant:Experienced epidemiologist 

The research of the International Health Unit (IHU) focuses on health problems in developing countries covering research domains such as vaccine preventable diseases (including vaccine programs), reproductive health (including HIV/AIDS), management of chronic diseases and tropical diseases. The IHU is also closely involved in several clinical trials.

The International Health Unit of the University of Antwerp recently received an ERC grant to study the cause of nodding syndrome and epilepsy in onchocerciasis endemic countries (NSETHIO).https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/rg/international-health/research/projects/nsethio-project/

To strengthen our team we are looking for an epidemiologist to collaborate in and support this project.

Profile

Essential criteria:

  • Excellent knowledge of epidemiology, experience with statistical data analysis, and experience in using statistical software (SAS, STATA, or R)
  • Experience with participating in or leading a research project in in developing countries (preferably in Africa) is an important asset;
  • Excellent organizational skills and able/willing to work in remote places in Africa
  • Strong interest in scientific work; flexible, autonomous, excellent communication and interpersonal skills; strong sense of initiative and responsibility.
  • Good communicative skills, collaborative and multidisciplinary interest
  • Good publication record and experience with grant writing
  • Excellent knowledge of English, both oral and written;
  • Good knowledge of French, both oral and written;

Function

  • Coordinating a trans-disciplinary research project to identify the cause of nodding syndrome and epilepsy in onchocerciasis endemic regions
  • Collaborating closely with clinicians, parasitologists, eco-entomologists, biologists, anthropologists and  bioinformaticians
  • Visiting research sites in Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon and assisting in coordinating local research activities.
  • Supervising PhD students working in the project
  • Develop data collection systems, databases, perform data management and data analysis
  • Report on project progress and results;
  • Assist in writing scientific publications on project results.
  • Assist in attracting external research funding from the private and public sector in the domain of basic and applied research on national as well as international level;

We offer

  • An initial 12 months fixed-term contract for a full-time position (post-doc level), extendable with a minimum of two additional years after positive evaluation. The position can be taken up immediately, but timing can be agreed upon; salary according to university standard remuneration rates, depending on academic qualifications and former professional experience;
  • A dynamic and interdisciplinary international research environment;
  • A stimulating international collaborative network, with opportunities for frequent study visits abroad;

Application