Epidemiologist

Job Description

About the role

CEPI is looking for an Epidemiologist with a background in early warning and epidemic/pandemic preparedness to join our growing Research and Development Department and more specifically, the Epidemiology function. The Epidemiology function supports CEPI, its partners, and stakeholders by bridging key epidemiological knowledge gaps for vaccine development. This will be achieved by: 1) identifying, characterizing, and addressing epidemiological knowledge gaps throughout vaccine development; 2) conceptualizing epidemiological activities to deliver high impact epidemiological data directly addressing barriers that may impair rapid and equitable vaccine development and access, and 3) providing upstream strategic input and epidemic intelligence to inform pathogen prioritization and vaccine development pathways. The Epidemiology function therefore ensures that scientific advice, innovation on vaccine evaluation and public health needs are integrated with product development. Given the cross-functional nature of the epidemiological activities across the vaccine development value chain, the Epidemiology function works in close collaboration with the other R&D functions.

The key purpose of the role is to provide support to conduct threat assessments for CEPI core priority pathogens and to detect potential Disease X emergencies to initiate R&D activities. We are looking for candidates that are motivated by CEPI’s mission, have an advanced degree (Masters) in Epidemiology or relevant discipline (Public Health), with three or more years’ experience conducting epidemiological research particularly related to real-time active disease surveillance.

This role reports to the Head of Epidemiology. We are primarily looking for candidates who will be based in Oslo, Norway. We will, however, also consider candidates who could be based London, UK.

In CEPI we strive for diverse thinking, and we want diverse pools of candidates for all our vacancies. We work for an inclusive working environment where each employee can contribute and grow.

Responsibilities

• In close collaboration with the Epidemiology disease leads, consolidate, analyse, summarise, and disseminate internally disease monitoring/ outbreak intelligence data from existing surveillance systems for CEPI’s priority pathogens and family related events and Disease X
• Support efforts to get CEPI integrated in existing epi intelligence structures (e.g., the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, UK Pandemic Radar, CDC National Forecasting Center) and partners on the ground
• Define data collection and output requirements for “early warning” systems to effectively inform vaccine R&D and promote adoption of these requirements by new and existing “early warning” initiatives
• Ensure timely deliverables and work closely with the Head of Epidemiology, the Epidemiology team members and the Emergency Response Senior Manager to ensure that activities/projects are managed in an effective way
• Provide technical expertise to the refinement of CEPI’s Emergency Response plans
• Support engagement with CEPI functions within R&D and CEPI’s Prepare and Response Division
• Participate in meetings with key stakeholders

Education, Experience and Competence

Essential:

• Master’s degree in Epidemiology or Public Health, or medicine with specialisation in epidemiology.
• Completion of a FETP, EPIET or EIS programme
• At least three years’ related experience with proven international exposure, particularly in the areas of quantitative infectious disease epidemiology, design and implementation of public health surveillance, risk assessment, and outbreak response in resource-limited settings
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency, and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness, and response

Preferred:

• Experience in the areas of outbreak investigation and response for (re)-emerging infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries and in reference to CEPI’s priority pathogens
• Ability to process, analyse and interpret epidemiological, event-based surveillance and social media data for epidemic and pandemic risk assessment
• Strong understanding of biostatistical and mathematical modelling methodologies and application to early warning
• Highly proactive in completing tasks and identifying gaps and needs
• Demonstrable problem-solving abilities with ability to identify issues and seeking advice as required
• Strong critical and objective interpretation of development and scientific issues with the ability to articulate and establish processes which impact cross-functional activities
• High level of self-awareness and ability to collaborate with people cross-functionally and across different geographic regions
• Ability and flexibility to balance multiple and complex tasks, and effectively perform in a matrix environment

Travel and Location Requirements

• This position can be based in Oslo, Norway or London, UK

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to work together with leading experts on solutions for global challenges.
• Experience from the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks.
• A diverse and inclusive working environment.

How to apply

• For more information on how to apply, please visit: https://cepisites.secure.force.com/careers
• Should you have any issues submitting your application or have questions please contact jobs@cepi.net
• Deadline for receiving applications is Thursday 3rd February 2022 at 23:59 CET

About the Organization

Launched in 2017, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an international coalition of governments, academic, philanthropic, private, public, and intergovernmental institutions whose vision is to create a world in which epidemics and pandemics are no longer a threat to humanity. Our mission is to to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI has played a central role in the global response to COVID-19, creating the world’s largest portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines – two of which are already saving lives around the world - and co-leading COVAX which is delivering equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to participating economies worldwide. During this period, CEPI has also overseen several scientific breakthroughs in developing vaccines against other infectious diseases, including the first phase 3 trial of a Chikungunya vaccine and the advancement of the first ever Nipah virus and Lassa virus vaccines into phase 1 clinical trials.

There is an urgent need to do more to mitigate the immediate threat of COVID-19 variants and to prepare now for the next pandemic. As COVID-19 has demonstrated, emerging infectious diseases represent an existential threat to our way of life. COVID-19 is not the first pandemic of the 21st century, and unless we act now, we can be sure that it will not be the last. But unlike some of the other big threats that humanity faces, we have the tools to systematically reduce and even eliminate the risk of future pandemics. It is vital that we capitalise on the rare alignment of political will, practical experience, and technical and scientific progress emerging from the pandemic to prevent such devastation happening again. CEPI has a US$3.5bn five-year plan to tackle the risk of pandemics and epidemics, potentially averting millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic damage. This plan will urgently address the immediate threat of COVID-19 variants so we can bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end; and enable us to prepare now for future threats. This includes our aim to reduce the vaccine development timeline to a 100-day ‘moonshot’ target and to advance the development of broadly protective vaccines that can protect against COVID-19 and its variants, as well as other known or novel coronaviruses.

CEPI is organised as a not-for-profit association under Norwegian Law and has offices in Oslo (HQ), London, and Washington, DC.

More details about CEPI and our mission can be found on our website: www.cepi.net