Postdoctoral Research Associate in AI for Equitable Disease Modelling

Unist; Greater London; On-site; GBP 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in London seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate in AI for Equitable Disease Modelling. The role involves leading the development of computational models for infectious disease risk, collaborating with esteemed partners. Candidates should have a PhD in a related field, programming expertise in R or Python, and strong communication skills. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and is crucial for advancing equitable public health solutions.

Benefits

Professional development entitlement

Collaborative research environment

Access to digital health initiatives

Qualifications

• Track record in publishing peer-reviewed papers.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships.
• Experience working on interdisciplinary research projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop new computational and mathematical models for disease risk.
• Test assumptions about differential disease risk using real-world data.
• Collaborate with national and international partners on research.

Skills

Developing complex models

Programming in R or Python

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder management

Interdisciplinary research

Education

PhD in applied mathematics, statistics, engineering, or related discipline

Tools

R

Python

Git

Spatial and statistical libraries

Job description

Offer Description

Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Research Field Biological sciences Computer science Mathematics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researchregistry( R3) Application Deadline 24 Feb 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

About us

King’s College London invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in AI for Equitable Disease Modelling to join the GeoAI for Health Equity Lab (GAHEL, pronounced “gail”) led by Dr. Sabrina Li. The PDRA will contribute to Dr. Li’s UKRI‑funded Future Leaders Fellowship project which focusses satisfactively integrating equity considerations into infectious disease modelling and surveillance, starting with the UK. The PDRA will be based in the Department of Geography, but will have access to training and support from King’s Health Partners Digital Health Hub, King’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Digital Futures Institute.

The PDRA will also have access to research and career development from King’s Centre for Research Staff Development. The postholder will work closely with Dr. Li and in collaboration with national and international interdisciplinary partners based at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Johns Hopkins University (USA), and Google Deepmind (London).

About the role

The PDRA will lead the development of new computational and mathematical models to quantify and predict infectious disease risk, particularly for identifying high risk individuals and groups. The PDRA will translate conceptual frameworks into mathematical models of complex cross‑scale disease dynamics across different epidemiological scenarios. A key responsibility is to test key assumptions about differential disease risk by integrating high‑resolution socio‑ecological, environmental, and novel health data from individual and population sources. This research will advance our understanding of how major infectious을 diseases of concern in the UK emerge, spread, and unequally affect different individuals and population groups.

Outcomes of this research will help advance the development of more equitable, spatial data‑driven approaches to public health surveillance and pandemic preparedness, with direct links to public health policy. The findings will inform the development of a real‑time spatial AI system to improve early detection and risk prediction, to protect vulnerable populations in the UK and in the future globally.

This is a full‑time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed‑term contract until 30 April 2030. Part‑time employment may be considered.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro‑rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support班 the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

• PhD in applied mathematics, statistics, engineering, computational biology, econometrics, or a related discipline.
• lés experience in developing complex models using real‑world data, with strong programming proficiency in R or Python and version control systems like Git. Familiarity with spatial and statistical libraries (e.g. INLA, PyMC, scikit‑learn, GeoPandas).
• Proven ability to work independently.
• Track record in publishing peer‑reviewed papers.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within teams, with a strong commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive work environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including to diverse audiences.
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships and working in a practitioner/policy context.
• Experience working on interdisciplinary research projects python

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found.sales in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information about what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Further information

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King’s.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit ’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held between Monday 19th – Friday 23rd January 2026.

Grade and Salary:£47,379 per annum including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID:134809
Close Date:24-Feb-2026
Contact Person:Sabrina Li
Contact Details:[e-mail]