Please find below the details of three vacancies within the Centre for
Epidemiology & Risk Analysis at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency -
Weybridge. We require 2 Risk Analysts [Band D] and 1 Mathematical Modeller
[Band C].

If interested, please contact the VLA Personnel Department on +44 (0)1932
357257 for more information and an application form to be sent to you.
Alternatively, go to the Job Opportunities link on the VLA website
www.vla.gov.uk.  The closing date for application forms is the 6th January
2005.

Emma Snary


Dr. Emma Snary,
Risk Analysis & GIS Workgroup,
Centre for Epidemiology & Risk Analysis,
Veterinary Laboratories Agency - Weybridge,
New Haw, Addlestone,
Surrey KT15 3NB

Tel: +44 (0)1932 357317
Fax: +44 (0)1932 357445
Email: [log in to unmask]




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The Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) is an Executive Agency of the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and is a
regional network of 15 laboratories in England, Scotland and Wales
supported by a central research and diagnostic testing facility near
Weybridge in Surrey.

The Agency provides a specialist veterinary resource to the UK Government
to help it fulfil its aims and objectives in protecting veterinary public
health and in developing sustainable agriculture and food industries.  It
also provides all sectors of the livestock health industry with animal
disease surveillance, laboratory services and veterinary scientific
research. This includes a wide range of applied research and consultancy on
diseases of livestock, diagnosis of diseases of statutory and public health
importance and monitoring of new and emerging diseases in England and
Wales.  As an Agency, VLA also has the freedom to offer its services to
other public sector organisations and to the private sector.

Currently, VLA employs over 1,300 people in a variety of roles including
veterinarians, scientists, animal technicians and administrators.

Further details on the work of the VLA can be obtained from the VLA website
www.vla.gov.uk


Band C Mathematical Modeller in the Centre for Epidemiology and Risk
Analysis, VLA - Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey
Full time, Permanent

The post is in the mathematical modelling and statistics section of the
Centre for Epidemiology and Risk Analysis.  Duties of the post holder will
include:
· Using mathematical modelling and statistical techniques within
epidemiological research and risk assessment, applied to animal health,
welfare and veterinary public health.  Currently the post has a focus on
scrapie epidemiology, and a key undertaking initially will be to
investigate the dynamics and control of scrapie, in order to advise policy
makers and others on epidemiology, control, and surveillance of this
disease, and on the future direction of this aspect of TSE (Transmissible
Spongiform Encephalopathies) research at VLA.
· Providing consultancy on modelling and epidemiological
interpretation of modelling outputs within and outside VLA.
· Seeking new funding for mathematical modelling projects, including
writing grant proposals
· Communicating results by writing reports and papers for refereed
journals, and customers, and to give oral presentations
· Managing projects, and managing, supervising, training and
developing scientific staff
· Advising on the design of experimental studies at VLA

The successful applicant will have a first degree in a quantitative
subject, most probably mathematics, and will have either a higher degree
focussing on mathematical modelling, preferably in a biological subject, or
considerable experience of applying mathematical modelling to
epidemiological processes.  Practical experience would be an advantage.
The successful applicant will be self-motivated and flexible, with the
ability to identify new opportunities for application of modelling
techniques and be able to follow them through, and in addition possess
excellent communication skills, with demonstrable ability in producing
written papers and oral presentations.  A proven track record in relevant
publications would be an advantage, as would experience of project
management and staff management.

The salary for this post is in Pay Band C - £29,075 to £48,075 per annum.


Band D Risk Analysts in the Centre for Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, VLA -
 Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey

These are full-time posts, although both could be undertaken by two part
time staff on a job-share basis.

There are two positions available for Risk Analysts to work as part of a
team undertaking work in all aspects of risk analysis with a focus on
development of risk assessments in the fields of national and international
veterinary and public health, but also to include varying amounts of
research, methodological development and advice on hazard identification,
risk communication and risk management. The main duties include:
· Developing and using risk analysis techniques and/or risk
assessment models applied to current and international veterinary and
public health.
· Undertaking methodological research for development of all aspects
of risk analysis
· Presenting results by writing project reports, and papers, and
giving oral presentations and advice
· Liaising with all those providing information and data for risk
analysis work, including specialists, collaborators, policy makers and
other stakeholders
· Writing project proposals to obtain funding, managing projects,
line managing and supervising Pay Band E risk analysts
· Keeping up to date with developments in selected areas of the risk
analysis discipline

The successful applicants should have a degree in a quantitative subject or
which includes a substantive quantitative element and a demonstrated track
record of experience and success in an aspect or aspects of risk analysis
modelling.  Applicants should either have appropriate risk analysis
experience or a higher degree.
Other necessary attributes include a motivated, enthusiastic and flexible
self-starter with the ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team,
an organised methodological approach to data collection and recording and
presentation of results; a confident and clear oral communicator with a
strong interest in veterinary and/or public health.  In addition, knowledge
of, or experience in an aspect of agriculture, veterinary or public health,
or biology would be an advantage, as would experience of project or staff
management.

These posts are in Pay Band D - £22,300 to £32,100 per annum.