Shazia Ruybal-Pesántez

Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in malaria computational epidemiology to work on the project CONTRA-MAL: Connecting the dots in malaria transmission dynamics: inferring transmission networks by integrating genetics and epidemiology , funded by a Fundación “la Caixa” Junior Leader Fellowship. The position sits at the intersection of genomic epidemiology , computational epidemiology , statistical modelling , infectious disease modelling , and public health surveillance . The successful candidate will develop and apply computational methods to infer malaria transmission dynamics by integrating parasite genetic data with epidemiological data. The work includes transmission network inference, outbreak dynamics, diffusion-based modelling, simulation-based validation, and open-source R package development. You will work closely with Dr Shazia Ruybal-Pesántez , a Genomic and Computational Epidemiologist and Research Group Lead at ISGlobal, within the Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases Program. The project also involves collaboration with international partners including Imperial College London, Menzies School of Health Research, UNC Chapel Hill, and malaria programme partners across Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. Eligibility highlights: a PhD in a quantitative field such as statistics, biostatistics, computational epidemiology, applied mathematics, infectious disease modelling, computer science, or a related area; strong coding and quantitative skills; proficiency in R and/or Python; experience with complex epidemiological/genomic datasets; and fluency in English. Experience with pathogen genomic epidemiology, bioinformatics, transmission modelling, network models, spatio-temporal modelling, or open-source software development is highly desirable. Funding and conditions: 18-month contract in the first instance, renewable depending on funding, with a gross annual salary of 30.656€. The role also offers career development support including conference travel, training workshops, mentorship, and opportunities for independent research ideas. Application window: applications are open until 3 July 2026 and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants must submit an application form, CV, cover letter, and contact details for two professional references.

Come work with Shazia Ruybal-Pesántez at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) on a postdoctoral research fellow position in malaria statistical modelling , Bayesian inference , network science , and infectious disease epidemiology . The project is funded by Fundación ”la Caixa” and focuses on inferential frameworks for malaria transmission chain inference (“who infected whom”) using epidemiological data and genetic data . The work combines network-based modelling , Bayesian or likelihood-based inference , and scientific software development , with an emphasis on methodological innovation and translational public health applications. This role is especially relevant for candidates interested in how genomic and epidemiological data can be integrated to study transmission, importation, persistence, and resurgence in malaria. The poster notes that malaria’s biology makes transmission inference more complex than for viral pathogens, so the project is aimed at developing new methods rather than applying existing ones directly. Ideal applicants should have strong statistical modelling skills. Experience in Bayesian inference, likelihood-based inference, infectious disease outbreak inference, or network science is especially welcome. A malaria or genetics background is not required, but a genuine interest in both areas is important. The position is based at ISGlobal in Spain . The closing date is 30 October 2026 , or until the position is filled, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Apply using the link provided in the post.