Postdoc: International surveillance for pandemic emergence

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to join our research team as a postdoctoral researcher within GGD Rotterdam Rijnmond and the department of Viroscience. This is a 3-year position focused on advancing pandemic surveillance and preparedness.

Erasmus MC, TU Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam have joined forces in the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC). The PDPC aims to prepare society for future pandemics and disasters. We will reduce vulnerabilities and risks while building resilience through effective disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery measures. The convergence of technical, medical and social sciences is essential for developing the next generation of approaches to disasters and pandemics. In the foreseeable future, our society can expect more frequent and unforeseen virus outbreaks and extreme events due to climate change. But how do we protect society from the next pandemic or disaster? Which lessons learnt can help develop prevention and intervention measures, and how can research contribute to preparedness?

One of the pillars of preparedness is a well-functioning early warning system. The Netherlands is a densely populated and highly interconnected country, playing a key role in the global movement of people, animals, and goods. The Rotterdam-Rijnmond region harbours the largest seaport of Europe. This research project aims to identify and characterize high-risk nodes for the emergence and dissemination of new viruses within these global transport and migration networks. To achieve this, we will develop, and test integrated early warning surveillance tools that combine innovative (wastewater) sampling methods, viral metagenomics, and transport network data analysis.

As a translational researcher, your primary focus will be to analyze and integrate combined data (e.g. viral (metagenomic) sequence data from wastewater, viral phenotypical data, and transport data) into public health applications at GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond. You will:

• Develop intelligent surveillance systems that translate real-time signals into actionable alerts.
• Design criteria and frameworks for surveillance-driven public health interventions.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, including experts from TU Delft, Wageningen University &Research, Erasmus University, and the Port of Rotterdam.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary research team, collaborating with 3 PhD students and another postdoc from Erasmus MC, KWR Water Research Institute, and TU Delft, focusing on transport networks, viral (metagenomic) sequencing, surveillance systems, and ethical considerations.

To be a successful candidate for this role, you should possess the following qualifications and skills:

• A PhD degree in a relevant scientific field (e.g., Genomics, Virology, Epidemiology, Public Health).
• Demonstrable expertise in the field of infectious disease research.
• Proficiency in performing independent research, particularly using advanced qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods.
• Experience in gathering and analyzing large datasets from literature or databases.
• Strong social and communication skills, excellent scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Effective organizational skills.
• Proficiency in the English language.
• Dedication, enthusiasm for innovative research, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Ability to obtain a certificate of good conduct.

You will receive a temporary position for 3 years. The gross monthly salary, based on a full-time working week of 36 hours, amounts a minimum of € 4.678,- and a maximum € 6.402,- (scale 11), depending on your level of education and relevant experience.

• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and an individual travel expense package.
• An International Office which aids you in preparing for you arrival and stay.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as an incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.

You will be based at the GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond and Erasmus MC. The GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond is committed to good public health through prevention, research, advice and information. With a working area of thirteen municipalities with a total of 1,35 million inhabitants, it is one of the largest Public Health Services in the Netherlands. The main task of the GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond is to monitor and promote public health. Other tasks are infectious disease control, medical environmental advice, travel medicine, and testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There is a multidisciplinary research group collaborating closely with the public health physicians.

The department of Viroscience at Erasmus MC employs more than 140 employees of different disciplines and runs an extensive experimental research program on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of infections by human and animal viruses. The department of Viroscience harbors well-equipped clinical and experimental virology labs.

For more information about this position, please contact dr. Miranda de Graaf, via m.degraaf@erasmusmc.nl.

If you are excited about this position and would like to apply, please use the application form on our website.