PhD Graduate Fellowship Spatial Analysis of Anthrax Occurrence Patterns in Kenya
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Full-time
- CapDev
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a PhD graduate fellow to support the anthrax project on the development of anthrax risk maps and identification of drivers for the occurrence and persistence of the disease in Kenya. It also contributes to the animal and human health program through the production of tools (e.g. risk maps) that can aid the surveillance and control of anthrax, one of the most important zoonotic disease in the region.
ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org.
The Position:
The graduate fellow will conduct epidemiological analyses to identify socio-ecological factors that promote anthrax occurrence and persistence as well as zoonotic spill-overs. Outbreaks of the disease have been reported in multiple locations in Kenya and hence data that will be used in these analyses will include secondary records from existing databases and primary data from field surveys. Field studies will be implemented in collaboration with the Washington State University-Kenya Program, Zoonosis Disease Unit, Ministry of Health and the Department of Veterinary Services. This work will contribute to ILRI’s/CRP’s mission of building capacity for improved management of zoonotic diseases by generating tools (such as risk maps for prioritizing areas for surveillance and control) and new knowledge on risk factors and practices.
Host Program: Animal and Human Health
Main ILRI Project Title: Identifying anthrax hotspots and the associated ecological factors in Kenya
Graduate fellows project title: Using ecological niche models to predict the spatial distribution of anthrax hotspots in Kenya
ILRI CGIAR Research Program (CRP) linkage: Agriculture for Nutrition and Health
Key responsibilities:
- Review of literature to identify drivers for anthrax occurrence and persistence
- Analyze secondary data from veterinary and public health institutions and other on-line databases
- Participate in outbreak investigations to map anthrax outbreaks
- Conduct ecological niche modelling to identify risk factors for the disease, and use fitted models to generate risk maps
- Estimate the burden of anthrax based on niche maps produced
- Write publications and short communication briefs
Requirements:
- MSc in Epidemiology, MSc Public Health, or MSc Environmental Health
- Excellent writing skills
- An effective and energetic team player with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
- Ability to work independently, multi-task and meet tight deadlines.
- Skills on geographical information systems
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration of contract: The period for this project/fellowship will be 3 years, commencing October 2017.
Terms of appointment and stipend: ILRI will offer a competitive stipend to cover living expenses in the project location. The successful candidate will be supervised jointly by an ILRI scientist and the university/academic supervisor.
How to apply: Applicants should send a letter from university attesting his/her student status,or commitment letter one is seeking an admission into a university; cover letter and CV explaining their interest in the position; what he/she can bring to the job; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Applications should be made to the Director, People and Organizational Development by clicking on the “Apply Now” tab above before 22 September 2017. The position title and reference number REF: PHD/09/2017 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org/
To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.
