Ecological Modeller ID:3912

Government Recruitment Service; Sand Hutton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency focused on animal health is seeking a dedicated individual for the modelling team within the Wildlife Department. This role involves building simulation models for disease spread, interpreting ecological data, and supporting governmental policies. The ideal candidate should be numerate and computer literate, with responsibilities including report writing and data collection. The position offers a chance to impact wildlife management and contribute to significant national health strategies.

Qualifications

• Expertise in designing and running computer simulation models related to wildlife management.
• Ability to collate and interpret model outputs effectively.
• Experience in ecological and epidemiological data collection.

Responsibilities

• Design and run computer simulation models focused on wildlife disease.
• Write reports based on model outputs and analyses.
• Collect data through literature review and coordination with colleagues.

Skills

Numerate

Highly computer literate

Team worker

Job description

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions. We are looking for compassionate, dedicated individuals who strive for excellence and integrity and who put animal health and welfare at the heart of everything they do. Are you conscientious and an excellent team worker? If the answer is ‘yes’, we would love to hear from you!

APHA are seeking a numerate and highly computer literate person to join the modelling team in the Wildlife Department. APHA is an executive agency of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and our remit includes identifying, managing, and controlling incidents and outbreaks of endemic and exotic diseases and pests in animals, plants, and bees. We provide unique capabilities and an evidence base for UK government, together with international reference responsibilities. The APHA Wildlife Department is a nationally important centre for wildlife disease management with multidisciplinary skills in epidemiology, statistics, and field ecology. The successful applicant will bolster the department’s role supporting Defra’s policy making and disease outbreak response activities.

In this role, you will be contributing to the production of advice for government policy and operational teams. This will involve building, maintaining or running models of disease systems that currently, or potentially could involve UK wildlife, and which can impact livestock and people. You will primarily be working with agent-based simulation models to explore the large-scale spread and control of disease, and you will also be collating ecological data on wild host species and disease transmission upon which the models are based. Some topics of current relevance include the investigation of control strategies for Bovine Tuberculosis and African Swine Fever, the epidemiology of zoonotic Lyssaviruses in bats and novel zoonotic diseases that may impact the UK.

Responsibilities

• Designing and running bespoke computer simulation models to investigate disease and other issues concerning wildlife management
• Writing reports, including collating and interpreting model output
• Undertaking sensitivity analyses and error checking verification of models
• Collecting ecological/epidemiological data for use in model development through literature review and in liaison with colleagues across APHA and elsewhere
• The post holder will also be encouraged to communicate results and findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and at national and international conferences