Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the area of spatial statistical modelling applied to mapping schistosomiasis transmission in different settings of Africa. The studentship covers living cost and tuition fees and provides support for 3 years. The starting date is June 1st, 2007
or as soon as possible after that date by negotiation. Appropriate qualifications are either an MSc in Mathematics with a substantial statistical component or in Biology or other related fields followed by postgraduate qualification in Statistics.

Applicants should have also sound computing skills. The successful applicant will register for a
PhD degree at the University of Basel.

The main objective of the research project is to develop Bayesian statistical methodology for the analysis of non-stationary, geostatistical data collected over a large number of locations. This methodology will be applied to a number of schistosomiasis-related datasets from Africa (a) to determine behavioural, environmental and socio-economic risk factors related to schistosomiasis transmission, and (b) to assess spatio-temporal patterns of the disease. The successful candidate will be supervised by PD Dr. Penelope Vounatsou (spatial statistics) and Prof. Jürg Utzinger (epidemiology).

The PhD project is part of a bigger programme on schistosomiasis research funded by the European Union co-ordinated by the DBL–Institute for Health Research and Development in Denmark and involving many other partners in Europe and Africa.

Applicants should send a CV and the names and addresses of two referees to the following address:

Dr Penelope Vounatsou
Swiss Tropical Institute
Socinstrasse 57
CH-4051 Basel
Switzerland
Tel: +41 61 284-8109
Fax: +41 61 284-8105
Email: penelope.vounatsou@unibas.ch