PhD student (fully funded)

We are looking for a talented PhD student to model the complex interaction between disease transmission, information spread and public health intervention in a diverse population. Such a model has the potential to be used to design more efficient health interventions and test their effectiveness before they are rolled out — a significant contribution to public health. 

Specifically the successful PhD candidate will combine real-world and simulated data, as a basis to design a multilayered mathematical model based on the compartmental SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered) approach. 

The successful PhD student will join the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine at Bar-Ilan University. They will be supervised by Professor Michael Edelstein, Professor of Infectious disease Epidemiology and Public Health, and Dr Yair Daon, mathematician with extensive experience in the development and analysis of mathematical models for infectious diseases. 

Eligibility Criteria

Required:

Candidates are expected to hold a Masters degree (with thesis) in one of the following topics: epidemiology, public health, or another relevant subject with a strong quantitative background (e.g. computational biology, mathematics, physics etc.). An understanding of quantitative methodologies, a willingness and ability to learn or refresh mathematical concepts, and a desire to learn and apply advanced analytics is essential. Basic grasp of programming is necessary, with a desire to improve proficiency. The candidate must speak English. Candidates from outside of Israel must be willing to relocate.

The following are an advantage but are not essential to apply:

-Understanding and / or knowledge of disease transmission models.

-Understanding of ordinary differential equations and dynamical systems..

-Background in probability theory, e.g. knowledge of common probability distributions.

-Intermediate or advanced use of Python.

Location

The student will be based at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University in Tsfat, Northern Israel. While Remote working is possible, the student is expected to attend courses, monthly seminars and twice monthly supervisor meetings at the faculty. 

There is no specific start date but early application is advised as recruitment will stop as soon as  a suitable candidate is identified.

Applications should be made by email directly to Michael.edelstein@biu.ac.il and include:

-A detailed CV (2 pages maximum) including publications if applicable.

-A short cover letter in English (1 page maximum) highlighting your motivation for applying and your research experience and capabilities.