ILRI PhD Graduate Fellowship: Improving human health through sustainable value chains in human-animal-environmental interactions using ICT in Vietnam (ICT4Health)
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a PhD graduate fellow to work on Improving human health through sustainable value chains in human-animal-environmental interactions using ICT in Vietnam (ICT4Health) to be hosted under the Animal and Human Health (AHH) program at ILRI.
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 centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices in East, South and Southern Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org [1]
The AHH program seeks to effectively manage or eliminate livestock, zoonotic and food-borne diseases that matter to the poor through the generation and use of knowledge, technologies and products, leading to higher farmer incomes and better health and nutrition for consumers and livestock. https://www.ilri.org/research/programs/animal-and-human-health [2]
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.
Location: ILRI, Vietnam.
Duration: 4-years (Dec 2022 – Dec 2026)
Terms of appointment: ILRI will offer a competitive stipend to cover living expenses in the project location, medical insurance cover, tuition costs and meet research expenses. The successful candidate will be supervised jointly by ILRI scientist (s) and the university/academic supervisor(s).
How to apply:
All applications MUST include the following (applications without the below documents will not be considered):
- a cover letter expressing their interest in the fellowship position and what they bring to the fellowship.
- CV including names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience.
- academic certificates/transcripts.
Applications will be sent to the Head of Capacity Development, ILRI by clicking on the tab "APPLY NOW" at ILRI Recruitment Portal [3] (https://www.ilri.org/jobs?jid=46336-ilri-phd-graduate-fellowship-improving-human-health-through-sustainable-value-chains-in-human-animal-environmental-interactions-using-ict-in-vietnam-ict4health [3]) on or before 30 November 2022. The position title and reference number REF: GF/ILRI/AHH-OHI/03/2022 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 [1]