Application Guide

How to Apply for Research Fellow

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 world-leading center for research and postgraduate education in public and global health, consistently ranked among the top institutions in its field. Its unique strength lies in its multidisciplinary approach, combining epidemiology, economics, and social sciences to address global health challenges, with a strong emphasis on translating research into policy and practice in low-resource settings. Working at LSHTM offers the opportunity to contribute to high-impact global health initiatives alongside leading experts, with research directly influencing international health organizations like WHO and Gavi.

About This Role

This Research Fellow role involves leading the economic evaluation of a novel hepatitis B microarray patch (MAP) technology for birth-dose vaccination, using trial data from The Gambia and potentially other countries. The position is highly impactful as it aims to model the cost-effectiveness and public health benefits of a needle-free vaccine delivery system that could prevent vertical transmission of hepatitis B in resource-limited settings, directly informing global immunization policy. You'll develop and refine mathematical models to assess intervention strategies, requiring close collaboration with trial teams and regional partners.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve analyzing data from hepatitis B MAP trials using statistical software like R, refining mathematical models to assess cost-effectiveness, and collaborating with team members via meetings or emails to discuss methodological approaches. You could also spend time writing up findings for reports or publications, engaging with French-speaking partners in Africa to coordinate data sharing, and attending seminars at LSHTM to stay updated on global health research.

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Interview Prep

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

  • Holds a PhD in health economics, mathematical modelling, epidemiology, or a related quantitative field, with a strong academic record in statistical/mathematical methods.
  • Has proven experience in economic evaluation of health interventions, preferably in global health or vaccination, and is skilled in mathematical modelling software (e.g., R, Python, or TreeAge).
  • Demonstrates fluency in French (spoken and written) to effectively collaborate with partners in Francophone Africa, as indicated by prior work or language certifications.
  • Shows a track record of methodological development in quantitative research, such as publications or projects involving cost-effectiveness analysis or transmission dynamics modelling.

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

1

Tailor your CV to highlight specific experience with economic evaluations, mathematical modelling for health interventions, and any work related to hepatitis B or vaccination programs, using metrics like publications or project outcomes.

2

Explicitly mention your French proficiency level and provide examples of how you've used it in professional or research contexts, as this is a key requirement for regional collaborations.

3

Reference LSHTM's ongoing research on hepatitis B or MAP technology (e.g., from their website or publications) to show you've done your homework and align with their priorities.

4

Include a brief statement in your application linking your quantitative background to LSHTM's multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing how your skills fit their focus on policy-relevant research.

5

If you have experience with data from clinical trials in low-income countries, detail your role in analysis or modelling, as the role uses trial data from The Gambia.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Explain your motivation for working at LSHTM specifically, citing their reputation in global health and how this role aligns with their mission to improve health equity.', 'Detail your experience with economic evaluation and mathematical modelling, providing a concrete example (e.g., a past project on vaccine cost-effectiveness or transmission modelling).', 'Highlight your French language skills and any prior collaborations in Francophone Africa, emphasizing how this will facilitate the regional work required.', 'Discuss your interest in hepatitis B prevention and the MAP technology, showing awareness of its potential impact on vertical transmission in resource-limited settings.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore LSHTM's research groups or centres focused on vaccines (e.g., the Vaccine Centre) and hepatitis B, reviewing recent publications or projects to understand their priorities.
  • → Look into the specific hepatitis B MAP trials in The Gambia that the role mentions, if publicly available, to grasp the data context and collaborators involved.
  • → Review LSHTM's strategic goals and values, such as their commitment to global health equity and multidisciplinary research, to tailor your application accordingly.
  • → Investigate LSHTM's partnerships with organizations like WHO or Gavi, as this role's findings may influence policy, and mention this in your application.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience with economic evaluation methods (e.g., cost-effectiveness analysis, decision-analytic modelling) and how you've applied them to health interventions.
2 How would you approach developing a mathematical model for preventing vertical transmission of hepatitis B using MAP trial data? Discuss potential challenges.
3 Explain how your French proficiency has aided past research collaborations, and how you'd use it to engage with partners in Africa for this project.
4 What do you know about LSHTM's work on hepatitis B or vaccine delivery, and how does this role fit into their broader research strategy?
5 Discuss a time you contributed to methodological development in quantitative research, and how it improved project outcomes or policy relevance.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without tailoring it to LSHTM's focus on global health and economic evaluation; avoid using boilerplate text that doesn't reference the company or role specifics.
  • Overstating quantitative skills without concrete examples; the role requires proven expertise, so vague claims about modelling or statistics will weaken your candidacy.
  • Neglecting to address the French language requirement; failing to demonstrate proficiency or its relevance to the role could lead to immediate rejection.

📅 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!

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

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