Senior modeller infectious diseases

Transform your infectious disease modeling expertise into direct public health impact. Your mathematical models and statistical analyses will inform national health policy, intervention strategies, and outbreak responses that protect the Netherlands' 17+ million residents—collaborating with one of Europe's leading infectious disease research teams and access to world-class surveillance and research data.

About the Role

As a senior modeller in infectious diseases, you will conduct research on the spread of infectious diseases using mathematical, statistical, and computational models. You will lead and coordinate complex modelling projects, both in terms of content and project management, developing models to describe the spread of infections and the impact of control measures. Working with an international team of modellers and health economists, your models will help interpret field data, be tested against epidemiological data, and provide a rational basis for calculating the costs and benefits of interventions. You will have the opportunity to advise policymakers and improve public health, directly contributing to the development and application of mathematical models to support public health policy. Recent projects include COVID-19 transmission modeling that influenced national policy, evaluating improvements of the pneumococcal vaccination programme, analyzing mpox outbreaks, and estimating the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions.

You will work within the Modelling department of the Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance, collaborating closely with colleagues from other departments and maintaining effective collaborations with epidemiologists, microbiologists, health economists, and policy-makers in a multidisciplinary environment. You will expand a relevant network with stakeholders, collaborate with academic and non-academic institutions, conduct research, initiate and successfully complete modelling projects, and communicate study results to relevant stakeholders such as the Health Council of the Netherlands. You are expected to monitor the scientific quality of models, advice, reports, and manuscripts, and publish methods and results in high-impact peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement mathematical models for infectious disease transmission and control.
• Analyze epidemiological data and interpret model outcomes to inform public health decisions.
• Lead and coordinate complex modelling projects, including project management and scientific content.
• Collaborate with epidemiologists, statisticians, health economists, and other experts within and outside the organization.
• Communicate findings to policymakers, stakeholders, and the scientific community.
• Contribute to scientific publications and reports.
• Advise policymakers and relevant stakeholders on infectious disease control strategies.
• Maintain and expand a relevant network with academic and non-academic partners.
• Supervise PhD students and contribute to the acquisition and successful completion of research projects.

What Makes This Position Unique

• Work closely with colleagues from diverse expertise, such as epidemiologists, mathematical modelers, medical specialists, virologists, and immunologists.
• Direct contribution to advice that informs Dutch national health policy.
• Access to excellent data sources and world-class research infrastructure.
• Work with an internationally recognized team in an international environment with English as the working language.
• Possibility to fulfill this position as a part-time secondment (minimum 3 days a week).

About RIVM

RIVM is a leading institute in public health and infectious disease control, providing scientific advice and conducting research to protect and promote the health of the population. At RIVM, over 3000 colleagues work together towards a healthy population living in a sustainable, safe, and healthy environment. The Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance (EPI), part of the Center for Infectious Disease Control, collects data to monitor infectious diseases in the Dutch population, conducts epidemiological research, investigates outbreaks, and assesses the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of control measures. EPI focuses on the National Immunization Program, healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance, respiratory infections, enteral and vector-borne infections, and zoonotic infections, supported by strong methodological expertise in surveillance, biostatistics, and mathematical modelling. The results of our work are used by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports, the Health Council, and Municipal Public Health Services to develop policy or advice. EPI consists of various professional teams characterized by expertise and respect for everyone's input.

The Team

You will be part of the Department for Infectious Disease Modelling within EPI, an open, dynamic, international, and stimulating group of infectious disease modellers, health economists, a research software engineer, and a research project manager. The group includes 10 senior researchers, 2 postdocs, and 5 PhD students, with 20 members from 6 different countries. English is the working language. The team maintains numerous collaborative links with external academic and non-academic institutions, such as Imperial College London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the University of Hong Kong. Flexible working arrangements are available, with a mix of remote and office work. The team values collaboration, support, and respect, and is passionate about making a social impact as one of the leading research groups in this field.

Who Are You

You have a PhD in physical sciences (physics, applied mathematics, computer science, mathematical biology, bioinformatics) and demonstrated scientific excellence in infectious disease modelling and statistical analysis. You have proven leadership in modelling projects, the ability to adapt creatively in a dynamic research field, and an active interest in addressing epidemiological questions to improve public health. You are willing to work as part of an (inter)national and multidisciplinary scientific team, possess political and organizational sensitivity, and are a strong communicator with experience in presenting modelling results to research teams, stakeholders, and policymakers. You have professional-level verbal and written communication in English, and at least C1 reading proficiency in Dutch (professional proficiency in Dutch is recommended).

Requirements

• A publication record showing scientific excellence in modelling infectious diseases of humans, with at least 10 first-author publications in high-impact journals.
• Extensive experience with programming for modelling, data analysis, and visualization, preferably using R.
• Extensive experience in supervising PhD students.
• A track record in acquisition and successful completion of research projects.
• A relevant international network with academic and non-academic partners.
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining an overview of various projects and coordinating them.
• Ability to operate independently, make sound judgements, distinguish between main and secondary issues, and act effectively while coordinating with the head of the Modelling department when needed.
• Ability to navigate a complex environment with different interests and drives.
• Excellent communication skills in English (speaking and writing) and a Dutch reading level of at least C1.
• Ability to explain complex information to collaborating partners from multidisciplinary fields and to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports.

Contact
For more information about the job, please contact via jacco.wallinga@rivm.nl.