PhD Position in mathematical modelling of infectious diseases and climate change

Climate change is reshaping our world, and its impact on the spread of infectious diseases is profound. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events like floods create new opportunities for disease vectors such as mosquitoes to thrive. These changes are expanding the geographic range of vector-borne diseases and amplifying the scale and timing of outbreaks.

This PhD project offers you the opportunity to unravel the complex interplay between climate, flooding events, and epidemic dynamics. Using cutting-edge tools like mechanistic modeling and remote sensing data, you will contribute to groundbreaking research aimed at predicting and mitigating the risks of infectious diseases in a changing climate.

Key Project Highlights:

• Review the available information on outbreaks in the aftermath of flooding events.
• Develop innovative models incorporating hydroclimatic variables and population displacement.
• Apply these models to real-world case studies, exploring "what-if" scenarios to guide interventions and policies.
• Collaborate with international experts and leverage state-of-the-art datasets.

Make a lasting impact by advancing our understanding of how climate change influences public health and shaping strategies to protect vulnerable communities worldwide.

Your Profile:

• Master degree in a quantitative discipline (such as biostatistics, physics, mathematics, computer science). If you do not hold a master degree but expect to acquire it before October 2025, please specify the expected date. 
• Experience in mathematical and/or statistical modeling, programming and numerical simulations, and data analysis.
• Proficiency in programming with R and/or Python. Experience with C++ is considered a plus.
• Fluent in written and oral English.
• Experience in mathematical modeling of infectious diseases is advantageous but not mandatory.

What We Offer:

• An initial appointment of two years, with the possibility of extension to a total of four years, starting in October 2025.
• A competitive salary range of €2400-€2500 per month.
• A stimulating research environment and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge topics in epidemiology, mathematical modeling, and climate change.
• Possibility of collaboration with international experts

The position will be based in the Brussels Woluwe campus of UCLouvain, easily reachable from the city center. 

Application Process: To apply, please send your CV, a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, and any relevant documents (e.g., transcripts of exams and publications) to [email protected]. Please include in your CV the contact information of who could be contacted to support your application (e.g., Master thesis supervisor). The deadline for the application is the 31st of May, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

For any inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Where to apply

E-mail [email protected]

Requirements

Research Field All

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Languages ENGLISH

Level Good

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1

Company/Institute Université catholique de Louvain

Country Belgium

City Brussels

Postal Code 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert

Contact

City Louvain-la-Neuve

Website http://www.uclouvain.be

Street Place de l'Université, 1