Doctoral Studies: Health Policy Modeling Applications Openings
Applications are sought for two funded interdisciplinary doctoral research assistant positions, beginning May or September 2012. These two positions will be drawn from three possible application areas:
- Policy modeling of TB. The position will involve working with a team drawn from the Department of Computer Science, Department of Medicine, Saskatchewan TB Control, and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, and will combine modeling insight with one of the world's richest sources of historical information on TB. This work will build on an existing model to examine the role of risk factors for TB, including housing, Type 2 Diabetes, and tobacco use.
- Gestational and Type 2 Diabetes and Complications. Involves work with an established team from the Department of Computer Science, Department of Medicine/Saskatoon Health Region. This work will draw on understanding of intra- and inter-generational factors involved in the rise in Type 2 Diabetes in North America and beyond, with a particular focus on the health of Aboriginal Peoples.
- West Nile Virus modeling. Saskatchewan has historically experienced the highest burden of West Nile Virus infection in North America. Managing this potentially lethal condition requires grappling both with broad dynamic complexities at the cross-species level, and pronounced uncertainties involving driving factors such as temperature and moisture availability. Involves work with teams from the Department of Computer Science, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine, the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment, Saskatoon Health Region, and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization.
The successful applicant will possess excellent character, high integrity, solid academic background, and a committment to disciplinary breadth. We are particularly seeking an individual willing to invest in learning a diverse set of modeling skills and approaches, a drive to look beyond and overcome disciplinary and methodological boundaries, a desire to recognize learn quickly from mistakes, excellent interpersonal skills and patience in working with those from other disciplinary background, and a commitment to excellence in modeling and documentation. Candidates may come from health science, engineering, computer science, or mathematics backgrounds. Cross-disciplinary experience, facility with biostatistics, databases, software engineering, agent-based modeling and System Dynamics modeling are a plus. The doctoral students may enter through one of several academic programs. Depending on student background, program of entry, and other considerations, the graduate student may well be asked to perform teaching assistant duties.
Students who do not yet have Masters degrees may apply for these positions, with the expectation being that they will remain on for a subsequent Doctoral degree.
I regret that the volume of student requests for positions is too large for me to answer all requests individually. To request consideration for one of these positions, please follow the instructions on my student supervision page.