Within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University Oldenburg we offer a 3-year postdoc position on  Interventional Modelling for the Prevention of Antimicrobial Resistance starting spring 2019. The position will be jointly supervised by Prof. Dr. Bernd Blasius at the Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM, Oldenburg, DE) and Prof. Dr. AW Friedrich, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen (NL).

Rationale
The spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria is one of the biggest challenges of modern healthcare worldwide. Within the EU, big differences in the prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria have been registered. For example, MRSA-bacteria are up to 20 times more frequent in Germany and France than in the Netherlands or Denmark. This disparity in prevalence strongly hinders cross-border patient mobility in Europe, since drug-resistant bacteria are spread by mobility of patients through the regional healthcare system.

In this project, we will use mathematical modelling and complex network analysis to identify optimal strategies and intervention points for the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance in the EU. We do this in a cross-border setting where direct comparison of healthcare systems is possible. The successful candidate will i) analyse patient-transfer data within single hospitals, between hospitals in a healthcare region, and in the German-Dutch cross-border region; ii) perform a hub&spoke analysis of this data to identify the real-life network of the healthcare utilization patterns of patients, as well as the most efficient intervention points for screening, infection prevention, and control measures within hospitals and within a region; and iii) combine mathematical modelling of patient movements with genomic data from antibiotic resistant microorganisms to create a reference library and to increase our understanding of the transmission dynamics of microbiological agents in healthcare. For further information see http://www.icbm.de/en/mathematical-modelling/open-positions/

Requirements
We are looking for a candidate holding an above-average academic university degree and a PhD in mathematical modelling, statistical physics, quantitative biology or medicine, or a closely related subject. Applicants experienced in epidemiological modelling or complex network theory are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants should be fluent in written and spoken English and should have a strong interest to work in a multidisciplinary team. The position will be primarily based in the Blasius lab at the University of Oldenburg in close cooperation with Prof. Dr. AW Friedrich at the University Medical Center Groningen (NL). We expect that applicants are willing to set up a structural collaboration between both institutions, within the Crossborder Institute of HealthCare and Prevention and are prepared to work for longer period of time in both countries.

Salary and conditions
The position will be starting in spring 2019 for a duration of three years with an option for another 3 years. Salary will be according to TVL E13 (100%). The position is suitable for part-time work.

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increasing the percentage of female employees in the field of science and encourages applications from female candidates. Applicants with disabilities will be preferentially considered in case of equal qualification.

Application
Applications should include a letter of motivation, a CV, a publication list, names and contact details of at least two personal references, and university and high school certificates. Please send your application no later than Jan 15, 2019 as a single pdf-file to Prof. Dr. Bernd Blasius, email: blasius@icbm.de, http://www.icbm.de/en/mathematical-modelling.