Salary: £78,413

Closing date:  Monday, 2 September 2024  

Contract type: Permanent

 

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. 

We plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health. 

The Infectious Disease Strategic Programme (IDSP) is looking for a Research Lead to drive forward a research program aimed at addressing key research gaps in our understanding of vector-borne diseases and advancing innovation to tackle these diseases. We are keen to hear from individuals who have knowledge of developing and implementing strategies within global health to increase our understanding of disease transmission and accelerate the development of novel interventions with the aim of reducing the burden of vector-borne diseases.

This is an exciting time to join Wellcome under the direction of our new CEO John-Arne Rottingen, who joined in 2024. The IDSP is a relatively new team and as such this is an opportune time to join and help sculpt the future direction of our vector-borne disease portfolio. IDSP focusses on two key drivers of infectious disease – environmental change and antimicrobial resistance. We take a preventative approach and combine an interest in gaining a better understanding of these drivers with development and use of interventions (including vector control, vaccines and small molecules). Our geographical focus areas are Africa and South Asia.

We are looking for an individual with a passion for global health, to work collaboratively across the IDSP team and Wellcome to identify and address key research gaps in the area of vector-borne diseases, in particular the Aedes-borne arboviruses, Schistosomiasis and Leishmaniasis.

You will be joining a multidisciplinary, collaborative and enthusiastic team (the Health Systems & Environment team) focused on developing novel vector control technologies including addressing regulatory hurdles, gaining a greater understanding of disease transmission including the impact of environmental change and filling key knowledge gaps that inform policy makers on the optimal use of vector-control tools.

In this role you will :

Support the Health Systems & Environment (HS&E) team to convene, fund and share learnings in line with the Infectious Disease team strategy by leading and undertaking key projects and conducting scoping, strategic planning and delivery of activities in the vector-borne disease workstream.Lead a team as required (through direct line management and/or matrix management) to advance the vector-borne disease area strategic goals.Execute, monitor and advance the vector-borne disease area of the HS&E team gaining guidance from specialist advisers and commissioning research as appropriate.Work with the Head to deliver the strategic objectives of the vector-borne disease area which may involve specific projects and activities such as:

Identify and devise approaches to capitalise on emerging opportunities within vector-borne diseases including filling key knowledge gaps on transmission and developing novel vector-control strategies with consideration for cost-effectiveness and optimal use of interventions.
Identify, build and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders to deliver key elements of the Infectious Disease strategy. This includes personal responsibility for managing senior stakeholder relationships with key partner organisations.
Deliver high-impact activities in line with the wider aims of the vector-borne disease area.
Contribute to a diverse and inclusive culture across the organisation, collaborating across departments.

To be successful in this role you will have :

An advanced degree in a relevant field
Able to demonstrate a breadth of research expertise in the field of vectors/vector-borne disease through relevant work experience in an academic, industrial, funding agency or charity setting. Knowledge of the Aedes-borne arboviruses, Schistosomiasis and Leishmaniasis would be an advantage.
Ability to identify key research gaps within the vector-borne diseases of interest and potential partners/stakeholders with whom to collaborate to address these.
Experience in devising strategies to address key research gaps in vector-borne diseases, including vector control strategies (with consideration for cost-effectiveness and optimal use of interventions), and/or the role of vectors in disease transmission and epidemiology.
Proven significant experience and knowledge of utilising science to reduce the burden of infectious disease in LMICs
A demonstrable interest in utilising science to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in LMICs

To apply please upload your current CV and complete our short application 

 

Interview dates: w/c 16th and 23rd September  

 

You can view the full job description on our website

Our Hybrid Way of Working 

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best. We are currently working 2 days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from our Euston Road offices (as part of our hybrid Ways of Working) with the remaining 3 days working either remotely or in the office.

From 1st September 2024 we will move to 3 days in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do 

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. Please visit our website for more information on adjustments and accessibility, or contact us at jobs@wellcome.org. 

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