An exciting opportunity for an established researcher or a recently completed PhD researcher with experience in malacology, epidemiology, data mapping and/or schistosomiasis modelling and spatial mapping approaches to join our team of academics working on decision support systems to improve schistosomiasis preparedness and control during development of water management infrastructure. We welcome applications from passionate, skilled, and committed individuals.
About the Role
The spatial distribution of schistosomiasis coincides with development of certain water management infrastructure (typically dams, irrigation systems and reservoirs for hydropower production). As part of a UKRI/NERC Belmont Forum consortium funded project working with collaborators including Stanford University US, The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and partners in Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Kenya, we are seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong research background in malacology, water resources and schistosomiasis control and/or schistosomiasis modelling and spatial mapping approaches.
Your role will be to critically evaluate the climatic and environmental determinants of schistosomiasis over a rural-to-urban gradient, and to develop a family of novel tools to connect knowledge-to-action with a menu of interventions aimed at controlling schistosomiasis transmission risk. This will include investigating the distribution and abundance of snail vectors of schistosomiasis along the increasing number of water management infrastructure (e.g. sand dams) in Kenya, and comparing it with baseline data over a gradient from rural, to small towns, and peri-urban areas. Working with our collaborators and partners, you will document how transmission risk is accounted for in both Strategic Urban Planning and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) of water management infrastructure and in current health surveillance systems as well as contribute to providing data for the design of a modelbase encompassing the state of the art, evidence-based, parameter-specific production functions to estimate the relationship between transmission risk and environmental, geophysical, and demographic variables. This post will build on Cranfield University’s longstanding reputation in environmental health, agricultural systems and water resources management. The role is based in the UK but with some significant travel to Kenya for fieldwork.
About You
You will have a PhD in malacology, epidemiology, spatial mapping, mathematical modelling or related disciplines and be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of schistosomiasis preparedness and control. You will also have interests in how integrated schistosomiasis control measures can be built into water management development. You will essentially have strong analytical skills and desirably some computer modelling experience, and an ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and engage confidently with partners. You will have a track record of publishing high impact journal articles, and will have a commitment to scientific rigour, a passion for solving applied problems, and enjoy engaging with experts and opinion-formers in academia and industry.
About Us
As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here .
You will be based within the Cranfield Water Science Institute () at Cranfield but will work closely with our colleagues within the wider Belmont Forum consortium.
Our Values and Commitments
Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here .
We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here .
Working Arrangements
Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.
How to apply
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr May Sule: May.Sule@cranfield.ac.uk
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: peopelrecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5109.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 19 August 2025
Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.