PostDoctoral Researcher in Vaccinology

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Edinburgh is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in Vaccinology and Epidemiology. This role involves investigating invasive Salmonella disease and requires strong experience in the relevant fields. Candidates should possess a PhD or be close to completion. The position offers the flexibility of hybrid working, fostering a diverse and collaborative team environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Defined benefits pension scheme

Flexible working initiatives

Qualifications

• A PhD in infectious diseases epidemiology, vaccinology, or mathematical modelling is essential.
• Experience in epidemiological field work is required.
• Experience of laboratory assays used for the assessment of infectious diseases and vaccines is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Investigate the epidemiology and vaccinology of invasive Salmonella disease.
• Develop, support, and publish epidemiological and mathematical modelling scientific outputs.
• Collaborate with international partners on research projects.

Skills

Epidemiological field work

Laboratory assays for infectious diseases

Bioinformatics

Working in global health

Commitment to equity and EDI

Teamwork and collaboration

Education

PhD in infectious diseases epidemiology, vaccinology or mathematical modelling (or to be obtained within 3 months)

Job description

Grade UE08: £50,253 - £61,759
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine / School of Population Health Sciences / Usher Institute
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed Term: 36 months, available from 1st January 2026 available until 31st December 2029 renewable up to 4 years
Location: Usher Institute, Edinburgh Bioquarter

This post is advertised as full‑time (35 hours per week). We will also consider requests for hybrid working (on a non‑contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular (weekly) on‑campus working. The Usher Institute expects a minimum of 40% on campus working.

The Opportunity

An individual with appropriate Postdoctoral experience and expertise in Vaccinology, Epidemiology and Mathematical Modelling is sought, to join a collaborative multidisciplinary team investigating the epidemiology and vaccinology of invasive Salmonella disease in Africa (incorporating typhoid, and invasive non‑typhoidal Salmonella disease).

The position will be linked to international collaborations and consortia in UK, Europe and Africa. The person will be responsible to develop, support, and publish epidemiological, laboratory and mathematical modelling scientific outputs which will ultimately support the development, licensure, scheduling and implementation of candidate vaccines against invasive Salmonella disease (Typhoid, and non‑typhoid invasive Salmonella disease).

The individual will work under the line management of Professor Melita Gordon. The position will be based in the Usher Institute, Little France Bioquarter, Edinburgh (onsite or hybrid working), and will require willingness to travel as required to collaborative study sites in Europe and/ or Africa.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Melita Gordon, Principal Investigator ([e-mail]).

Your skills and attributes for success:

• A PhD (or to be obtained within 3 months) in infectious diseases epidemiology, vaccinology, or mathematical modelling. Experience in bioinformatics would also be an advantage.
• Experience of epidemiological field work.
• Experience of laboratory assays used for the assessment of infectious diseases and vaccines.
• Strong experience working in global health and/or low‑income settings.
• A demonstrable commitment to equity and EDI.
• Good teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate within and beyond the research group.

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Please include your CV and a supporting statement with details of how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required for this post.

Non-University of Edinburgh employees (i.e. external applicants) – please refer to the How to Apply – External Candidate system user guide.

Current University of Edinburgh employees (i.e. internal applicants) interested in applying for this role – you must apply as an internal applicant through the People and Money Current Jobs tile. Please refer to the How to Apply – UoE Employee system user guide.

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. We give you support, nurture your talent and reward success.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, which includes a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family‑friendly initiatives, flexible working and much more. Click to access our staff benefits page (opens new browser tab) for further information and use our reward calculator to find out the total value of pay and benefits provided.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT+ equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

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Join our growing team of academics and professional services staff and work in a vibrant, multi‑disciplinary environment. Our vision is to catalyse the transformation of health in society by working with people, populations and their data.

Our greatest asset is our people, working together to improve public health using evidence‑based research.

We are a key applied and translational arm of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at The University of Edinburgh. Working with partners across UK and international universities, health and care providers, policymakers, industry and the public is central to our highly collaborative ethos.