Contract available for 2 years from February 2013 Salary: up to £35,938 per annum
TELL ME (Transparent communication in Epidemics: Learning Lessons from experience, delivering effective Messages, providing Evidence) is a 36 month project funded by the European Commission within Framework 7, which aims to provide evidence and to develop models for improved risk communication during infectious disease crises. TELL ME combines public health, social sciences, behavioral sciences, political sciences, law, ethics, communication and media, in order to develop original communication strategies regarding complicated messages and advice based on uncertainties.
We are now looking for a researcher to design, construct and test a prototype of an agent-based model for simulating the communications before, during and after an epidemic outbreak. The model will include the various actors involved, including health agencies, government, the media, experts and the public and, in coded and simplified form, the content of the ‘messages’ sent between these actors. The work will include participatory modelling with health professionals contributing to the model design and evaluation.
This role may appeal to someone with experience of agent-based modelling and a wish to contribute to an important policy issue. A background in the social sciences and the ability to work with health professionals would be helpful. An excellent publication record, the ability to innovate and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment are requirements for the post, which will be available from February 2013 for two years.
The project is a collaboration between partners in four European countries and will involve some travel. It is located in the Centre for Research in Social Simulation (CRESS), one of the foremost centres for social simulation in the world.
For informal discussions about the post, contact Professor Nigel Gilbert at n.gilbert@surrey.ac.uk .
To apply on line, please visit http://www.surrey.ac.uk/vacancies. If you are unable to apply online, please contact Rebecca Varcoe via e-mail on r.varcoe@surrey.ac.uk or by telephone on + 44(0)1483 686255 quoting reference number 9047.
The closing date for applications is 11th November 2012
The interview board will be held on 6th December 2012
The University is committed to an Equal Opportunities Policy