ILRI PhD Graduate Fellowship: Improving Human Health Through Sustainable Value Chains in Human Animal Environmental Interactions Using ICT in Vietnam (ICT4Health) at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

About the position

Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Ebola, rabies and avian influenza pose a major threat to humans and animal health globally. These diseases may have a wildlife reservoir or involve domestic animals.

In Southeast Asia, continued losses of livestock due to transboundary diseases such as African swine fever have revealed major weaknesses in the public health and veterinary services. Vietnam has been identified as a hotspot for transboundary animal and emerging zoonotic diseases in the region.

This project uses One Health approach to ensure a multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral approach to addressing the threat of zoonotic diseases. It also strengthens the capacities of national partners in surveillance, early detection and emergency response, disease prevention and control and laboratory science (serology and diagnostics). The project will inform policy formulation to improve the management of transboundary animal and emerging zoonotic diseases.

PhD fellowship whose research will address the health threats that face the continent using a One Health approach. The successful candidate will be supported to pursue his/her PhD research on diverse subjects ranging from tackling the burden of emerging and re-emerging infectious disease and zoonoses control.

Responsibilities of the fellow:

• Develop a protocol for screening human and animal blood and serum samples for zoonotic diseases.
• Process the samples mentioned above for laboratory analysis.
• Develop a survey for risk factors, knowledge, attitude and perception.
• Conduct statistical analysis and develop a disease transmission model from animal to human.
• Draft a thesis and at least three journal publications.
• Undertake other relevant tasks as assigned by the fellowship supervisors.

Eligibility:

This fellowship is open to Vietnamese nationals only.

Minimum requirements for the ideal candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine, animal science or other relevant areas and master’s degree within relevant field e.g., epidemiology, ecology and data science.
• Quantitative analysis skills.
• Good skills in a programming/scription language (e.g., R and STATA).
• Experience with QGIS or ArcGIS.
• Willingness to travel and to spend time in the field.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary and international team, very good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent proficiency written and spoken English and Vietnamese languages.
• Good publication record (in peer-reviewed journals).
• Good working knowledge of MS Office packages.

Closing:  22 November 2022