Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) is a Ugandan not-for-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen health systems in Africa, with strong emphasis on infectious diseases, through research and capacity development. IDI has six operational areas through which it works to achieve its mission: Prevention, Care and Treatment; Training, Research, Laboratory services (including the CAP-certified IDI Core Lab & Translational Lab), Global Health Security and Health System Strengthening.

Position Title: Postdoctoral Fellow – Epidemic Intelligence

Department: Global Health Security

Project: Professor Sewankambo Global Health Security Training Program in Africa

Duration: One year, renewable

Location: IDI-McKinnell Knowledge Centre, Makerere University Main Campus

We are seeking a highly motivated and recently graduated Postdoctoral Fellow with expertise in epidemics intelligence to join our global health security program. The successful candidate will apply advanced scientific approaches to address critical challenges in emerging infectious disease outbreaks, neglected tropical diseases, vaccinology, and/or virology. This role combines cutting-edge science, innovation with practical contributions to program delivery, business development, and scientific documentation in the global health domain.

Responsibilities or duties

Business Development: Contribute to the development of high-quality business and funding proposals, including concept notes, grant applications, and partnership pitches targeting donors, governments, and international organizations.

Scientific Documentation: Support the preparation of scientific manuscripts, technical reports, policy briefs, protocols, and other documentation for internal and external stakeholders. The postdoc shall also support the presentation of findings at conferences, workshops, and partners.

Program Delivery: Actively participate in the implementation of ongoing and new Global Health Security initiatives, including data analysis, modeling, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building activities.

Science & Innovation: Conduct independent and collaborative research using computational simulations, or data-driven methods focused on AMR, outbreak dynamics, virological and vaccinology systems.

Collaborations: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (including clinicians, epidemiologists, and policymakers) to translate computational insights into actionable public health strategies.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Academic Qualifications

PhD in Outbreaks Modelling, Epidemics Science, Pandemics Intelligence, Advanced Data Analytics, Nanotechnology, Applied Mathematics, Computational Statistics, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related quantitative discipline, completed within the last 2 years (or soon to be completed).

Candidates who have submitted or will submit PhD thesis within six months are elligible

Person Specification

Qualifications and Requirements

Education: PhD in Outbreaks Modelling, Epidemics Science, Pandemics Intelligence, Advanced Data Analytics, Nanotechnology, Applied Mathematics, Computational Statistics, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related quantitative discipline, completed within the last 2 years (or soon to be completed). Candidates who have submitted and are awaiting thesis defense are eligible.

Technical Expertise: Strong background in predictive sciences, analytics, disease transmission and patterns, early warning forecasts and health informatics. Experience applying these to antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease outbreaks or pandemics, virology or vaccinology is highly desirable.

Experience: Demonstrated research productivity (e.g., peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations). Fresh PhD graduates or near-graduates are encouraged to apply.

Skills: Proficiency in relevant programming languages (Python, R, etc.), machine learning frameworks, and data analysis tools. Excellent scientific writing and communication skills. Ability to work in multidisciplinary, international teams.

Personal Attributes: Self-motivated, detail-oriented, with a passion for global health impact and strong organizational skills.

• Contribute to the development of high-quality business and funding proposals, including concept notes, grant applications, and partnership pitches targeting donors, governments, and international organizations.
• Support the preparation of scientific manuscripts, technical reports, policy briefs, protocols, and other documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the presentation of findings at conferences, workshops, and partners.
• Actively participate in the implementation of ongoing and new Global Health Security initiatives, including data analysis, modeling, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building activities.
• Conduct independent and collaborative research using computational simulations, or data-driven methods focused on AMR, outbreak dynamics, virological and vaccinology systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (including clinicians, epidemiologists, and policymakers) to translate computational insights into actionable public health strategies.

• Proficiency in relevant programming languages (Python, R, etc.)
• Machine learning frameworks
• Data analysis tools
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary, international teams
• Strong background in predictive sciences, analytics, disease transmission and patterns, early warning forecasts and health informatics

• PhD in Outbreaks Modelling, Epidemics Science, Pandemics Intelligence, Advanced Data Analytics, Nanotechnology, Applied Mathematics, Computational Statistics, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related quantitative discipline, completed within the last 2 years (or soon to be completed).
• Candidates who have submitted or will submit PhD thesis within six months are eligible.
• Candidates who have submitted and are awaiting thesis defense are eligible.
• Demonstrated research productivity (e.g., peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations).
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, with a passion for global health impact and strong organizational skills.