Application Guide

How to Apply for Research Fellow in Transmission Modelling

at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

🏢 About London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is a globally renowned public health institution with a unique mission-driven focus on health equity and translating research into real-world policy impact. Unlike purely academic settings, LSHTM bridges research excellence with practical application, offering researchers the opportunity to see their work directly influence public health strategies in the UK and worldwide.

About This Role

This Research Fellow role focuses on extending transmission models for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV to analyze how socioeconomic and ethnic disparities affect vaccination impact and health outcomes. You'll work directly with GP-level infection data using the OpenSAFELY platform to quantify inequalities and evaluate cost-effective vaccination strategies, making tangible contributions to reducing health inequities in respiratory virus transmission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve coding in R/Python to extend transmission model parameters, analyzing stratified infection data from OpenSAFELY, and collaborating with team members to interpret results. You'd likely participate in meetings discussing how modeling outputs can inform vaccination policy recommendations, balancing technical analysis with real-world public health implications.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Is Looking For

  • Has strong quantitative modeling experience in epidemiology, particularly with infectious disease transmission models (compartmental, agent-based, or similar)
  • Demonstrates proficiency in statistical programming (R or Python) and experience fitting models to real-world health data, preferably electronic health records
  • Shows understanding of health inequalities research, with knowledge of socioeconomic and ethnic determinants of health
  • Possesses experience with or strong interest in health economic evaluation methods for assessing intervention cost-effectiveness

📝 Tips for Applying to London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

1

Explicitly mention experience with OpenSAFELY or similar secure analytics platforms for EHR data in your CV, as this is specifically mentioned in the job description

2

Highlight any previous work stratifying health outcomes by socioeconomic status or ethnicity, even if not in respiratory viruses

3

Reference LSHTM's specific research themes on health equity and mention how your research aligns with their mission to translate knowledge into policy

4

If you have published or presented on transmission modeling, include links or citations rather than just listing publications

5

Tailor your application to mention both the technical modeling aspects AND the health equity implications of the work, showing you understand both dimensions of the role

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience with infectious disease transmission modeling and how you've extended or adapted existing models", 'Demonstrated ability to work with real-world health data (EHR, surveillance, or similar) and translate findings into policy-relevant insights', 'Understanding of health inequalities in infectious disease contexts and why socioeconomic/ethnic stratification matters for vaccination strategies', "Why LSHTM's mission-driven approach to public health research appeals to you specifically, not just general academic interest"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore LSHTM's Health Inequalities Research Group and their specific projects on ethnic health disparities
  • → Review publications from LSHTM researchers using OpenSAFELY, particularly those focused on COVID-19 or respiratory infections
  • → Familiarize yourself with LSHTM's 2022-2027 strategy document focusing on health equity and their 'theory of change' framework
  • → Look into LSHTM's partnerships with UK government agencies (like UKHSA) to understand their policy influence pathways

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a specific transmission modeling project you've worked on, including challenges with model fitting and validation
2 How would you approach stratifying a transmission model by socioeconomic status? What data sources and variables would you consider?
3 What are the key methodological considerations when using GP-level infection data versus population-level surveillance data?
4 How would you design a study to compare different vaccination strategies while accounting for existing inequalities in coverage?
5 How do you see this research contributing to LSHTM's goal of translating knowledge into policy and practice?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Presenting yourself as purely a technical modeler without showing interest in the health equity implications of the work
  • Failing to demonstrate awareness of UK-specific health data systems (like NHS data, GP records) and regulatory frameworks
  • Using generic language about 'wanting to work at a prestigious institution' without connecting to LSHTM's specific mission and research priorities

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine!

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