Research Fellow in Outbreak Response

UAG; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oxford's Pandemic Sciences Institute invites applications for a Research Fellow in Outbreak Response within the Data Analytics and Epidemiology group. The role focuses on real-time spatial and metapopulation models to forecast outbreak risks and inform public health decisions, in collaboration with CEPI-funded B-REACT partners addressing the Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the DRC.

You will integrate epidemiological, mobility, genomic and geospatial data, develop reproducible

Qualifications

• PhD/DPhil in epidemiology, statistics, mathematics, computational biology or related quantitative discipline.
• Experience developing spatial/metapopulation models, model evaluation and uncertainty quantification.
• Strong Python and/or R programming, ability to analyse large-scale real-world data.
• Excellent communication, organisational and project management skills; robust publication record.

Responsibilities

• Develop and run real-time spatial and metapopulation models of disease transmission.
• Integrate epidemiological, mobility, genomic and geospatial data to forecast outbreak risks.
• Produce forecasts and surveillance assessments to inform public health decision-making.
• Communicate findings to policymakers and collaborate with international partners.
• Lead research activities, contribute to publications, and support capacity building and technology transfer.

Skills

Epidemiology

Statistics

Mathematics

Computational biology

Python

R

Data analysis

Communication

Project management

Education

PhD/DPhil

Tools

Python

R

Geospatial tools

Job description

Location: Pandemic Sciences Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health and Information Discovery, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF

We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow in Outbreak Response to join the Data Analytics and Epidemiology group at the Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine. Working with Professor Moritz Kraemer, you will contribute to B-REACT, a project funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), supporting the response to the Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The research will focus on developing real-time spatial models of infectious disease transmission to inform outbreak response, surveillance, vaccine research and clinical trial preparedness.

You will be responsible for developing and running real time spatial and metapopulation models of disease transmission, integrating epidemiological, mobility, genomic and geospatial data to forecast outbreak risks and support public health decision‑making. The role includes developing reproducible analytical pipelines, producing forecasts and surveillance assessments, communicating findings to policymakers and collaborating with international research partners. You will also lead research activities, contribute to publications, manage resources and support capacity building and technology transfer with national public health teams in the DRC.

It is essential that you hold a relevant PhD/DPhil with post‑qualification research experience in epidemiology, statistics, mathematics, computational biology or a related quantitative discipline. You should have experience developing spatial or metapopulation models of infectious disease transmission, model evaluation and uncertainty quantification, alongside strong Python and/or R programming skills and experience analysing large‑scale, real‑world datasets. Excellent communication, organisational and project management skills, a strong publication record, grant‑writing ability and experience working collaboratively across international research teams are required. Experience in phylogenetic or phylodynamic methods, outbreak response in low‑ and middle‑income countries, developing dashboards or visualisations, vaccine trial analytics, or a working knowledge of French would be advantageous.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract for 12 months and is funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

Only applications received before 12 midday on 6 November 2026 will be considered. Please quote 189423 on all correspondence.

The post may also be offered as a secondment opportunity.

£50,067 to £59,396 with a discretionary range to £66,608 p.a. (pro rata). This is inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year (pro rata). Research Grade 8