Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases – department Public Health

The mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) is to conduct public health research of international standing, provide postgraduate education of high quality and engage in service delivery with the ultimate goal to advance global health. Current research domains include health policy and health systems, sexual and reproductive health, infectious disease including neglected tropical disease and antimicrobial resistance, non-communicable and chronic diseases, and outbreaks. The department is organised in multidisciplinary groups, including public health specialists, epidemiologists, and social scientists.

Within the DPH research group Tropical Infectious Diseases (TID), we seek to strengthen our research portfolio and wish to appoint a Professor to develop a comprehensive, competitive and innovative research agenda in at least one, preferable several, of our priority themes, such as vector borne diseases including malaria and arboviroses or other emerging tropical diseases, as well as vaccine-preventable infections. We expect that the successful candidate will strengthen the existing research lines, develop strong links to training and methodological capacity building in this field, and nurture a productive synergy with colleagues in the TID group. A demonstrable track record in publications, successful grant applications and proven excellent methodological skills in particular in quantitative epidemiological methods are expected from the candidate. The candidate will be keen to collaborate with other departments to share skills and develop interdisciplinary projects.

Your role 

Your primary assignment is to develop and perform innovative research to reduce the impact of tropical infectious diseases, in particular emerging infectious diseases, in low and middle-income countries in line with the departmental and institutional strategy. Your research will focus on the epidemiology of these diseases; including the innovative development and evaluation of public health interventions and risk assessment in a multidisciplinary context. – You will collaborate closely with other senior researchers in the TID group in implementing a strategy in line with the Departmental and Institutional policy plans. You will coordinate development and implementation of strategy within the research group if indicated. – You will proactively develop and support collaborations within the group, with other research groups in the Department and in the Institute (Depts of Clinical Sciences and Biomedical Sciences), as well as externally. You will actively collaborate in, and further develop, national and international networks. – You will take up teaching responsibilities and will contribute to developing new course modules. – You will progressively strengthen the group with new researchers in your field. You will attract and train PhD students. – You will acquire substantial external funding for the implementation of your research projects – You will provide expert advice to national and international bodies and progressively develop a strong international reputation and visibility with organisations and stakeholders in the field

Your profile
You have a background in medicine, epidemiology, public health, or related field; and a PhD in a research domain relevant to the position. – You have a proven track record and excellent skills in biostatistics, epidemiological (and preferably also mixed methods) study design and data analysis. You are able to give methodological support to colleagues in the Department with regard to these matters. – You have several years of personal experience working in low-and middle income settings in the domain of scientific/academic capacity building. – You have a proven record of high-quality public health research on tropical infectious diseases in low and middle income countries and have published extensively on this topic, with an identifiable niche in line with the requirements of the post. – You have a strong academic track record, including successful grant writing, PhD training, leadership and communication, team management and international partnerships. – You have a track record in successful research collaboration with other disciplines. – You have a demonstrable active knowledge of English and preferably French. You know Dutch or are willing to learn it. Knowledge of other languages, in particular Spanish, is an asset.

The ITM is an open and international campus where staff, students and researchers work on new international health challenges. We strive for excellence, integrity, specificity and efficiency. Your assignment contributes to our mission. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients. Together we ensure a pleasant working atmosphere with attention to work-life balance and opportunities for training. We offer you:

• A full-time tenured appointment. Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor.

• A salary set according to the pay scales of ITM and the Flemish universities and to your work experience with supplementary benefits: a public transport subscription and/or bicycle fee, private pension scheme and meal voucher subscription.

• An immigration and relocation assistance package.

• If you do not master Dutch, the administrative language of ITM, you should be willing to obtain a CEFR B2 level of proficiency in Dutch. ITM offers international staff members tailor-made language coaching.

Excited about this role? For more information about this position, please contact HR (recruitment@itg.be). Send your CV together with your letter of motivation to recruitment@itg.be before December 15th 2020.

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