Postdoctoral researcher in Climate Change and Vector Borne Diseases 80-100%

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) is a world-leading institute in global health with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. Associated with the University of Basel, Swiss TPH combines research, education and services at local, national and international levels. 950 people from 95 nations work at Swiss TPH focusing on infectious and non-communicable diseases, environment, society and health as well as health systems and interventions.

The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH) investigates distribution and causes of infections and non-communicable diseases. To understand and promote the well-being of people in different cultural and environmental contexts, EPH applies various methods ranging from anthropology and social science to biostatistics and mathematical modelling as well as observational cohorts with biobanks.

The Disease Modelling Unit is currently looking for a Postdoctoral researcher in Climate Change and Vector Borne Diseases (80-100%).

We are hiring for a postdoc position in infectious diseases modeling to work on projects related to climate change and vector borne diseases. The postdoctoral researcher will specifically contribute to a Swiss TPH programme grant, which aims to evaluate the effect of climate change and land use in tick-borne diseases in Switzerland and the effect of climate-change and urbanization in dengue in Ivory Coast. This multidisciplinary programme seeks to advance understanding of climate-driven vector-borne diseases and to develop practical tools for effective prevention and mitigation strategies.

Your position

Your various responsibilities include:

• Surveillance and modeling of tick-borne disease transmission dynamics in Switzerland by designing and conducting advanced data analyses. This will involve integrating surveillance data with climate and land-use variables to assess disease risk, predict future trends, and identify key environmental drivers. The analysis will be conducted in collaboration with public health and environmental research institutions in Switzerland.
• Contribution to research activities assessing the impact of climate change and land use on vector-borne diseases, focusing on tick-borne diseases in Switzerland and dengue in Ivory Coast. This will include developing and evaluating predictive models, exploring adaptation strategies, and supporting public health decision-making. There is scope to pursue your own research interests within these broad parameters.
• Preparation, publication of scientific manuscripts
• Support of stakeholder meetings
• Engage in teaching activities, supervision of PhD and master students

Your profile

You should have the following experience and skills:

• PhD in infectious diseases modeling
• Experience analyzing large datasets, and experience in epidemiological data analysis with a strong interest in novel methods for causal inference. Knowledge of climatic/ geographic research methods is also valuable.
• Excellent scientific writing ability and strong oral communication skills
• Excellent English language skills (speaking and writing)
• Excellent knowledge of programming, data management methods, quantitative analytical methods (preferably in R or Python)
• Ability to work effectively, independently and flexibly with strong spirit of teamwork, openness for collaboration across scientific disciplines and to engage in transdisciplinary research.
• Ambition to contribute to scientific progress as well as to performing societal relevant research

We offer you

• Meaningful work in an international environment
• A state-of-the-art workplace in the new Swiss TPH building with its own canteen on the dynamic BaseLink site in Allschwil.
• You will benefit from a valuable network of collaborators worldwide.
• Interesting encounters with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
• Attractive employment conditions, versatile further education opportunities and mentoring

• Start Date: April 2025, or by agreement
• Duration: limited, the initial appointment is for two years extensible for another year
• Percentage: 80-100%
• Location: Allschwil, Switzerland
• Travel required: opportunity to collaborate in partner studies with Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques in Ivory Coast.
• Internal job title: Postdoctoral scientific collaborator I

• CV
• Motivational letter including names and contact information (email or phone number) of 1 - 2 references
• Reference letters and diploma