Systems modelling for early intervention systems for sustainable aquaculture health in Viet Nam and Thailand (BBSRC 24SUSRESAQUA) This is an exciting opportunity to take on this substantive role within a collaborative project focused on aquaculture and shellfish production in Southeast Asia. The aim of this project is to support and work alongside farmers in Viet Nam and Thailand to co-develop low-cost, sustainable, early warning monitoring systems of aquaculture health. Early prediction, detection and management of changes in the health of aquaculture are important entry points to increasing production through reduced disease and mortality, resulting in greater resilience and sustainability. The 24SUSRESAQUA project will address these challenges through combination of novel sensor development, AI and advanced statistical modelling, as well as a systems model that integrates these information streams to better understand the relationship between climate, water quality, and disease incidence. This role will be responsible for the development and operation of this systems model. This role is fixed term for 3 years. Main Purpose of Job The postholder will undertake substantive research work as part of a BBSRC-funded project, this will include methodological development, data analysis, modelling, interpretation and visualisation of results, and writing of papers and reports. Key activities include: Development of a systems-based risk model that combines climatic, contamination and water management factors to predict probabilities of water quality and disease prevalence in aquaculture production in Vietnam and Thailand and can be used as a tool to identify mitigation measures. Interaction with stakeholders and project partners to understand the model system, elicit knowledge and data from appropriate sources, and co-construct systems models with key individuals. Data integration, manipulation and statistical modelling; development of Bayesian networks that adequately represent the system and aspects of interest. Presentation – oral and written – of main findings, as well as model demonstrations to a variety of audiences including lay audiences. Main Duties of Postholder Multidisciplinary role interacting with different stakeholders to understand the aquaculture production systems located in South East Asia and build systems models to represent these. Work will involve data acquisition and cleansing, data manipulation and integration of disparate data sets including different knowledge types, and modelling via probabilistic graphical methodologies such as Bayesian networks. Model development will be an iterative process with stakeholders with the aim to identify and outline the design of a tool – e.g., smartphone application – that would prove beneficial to the aquaculture industry. Travel to Vietnam and Thailand is an expectation of the role. Person Specification Education/Experience/Skills Essential Ph.D. in relevant subject environmental modelling, systems modelling, Bayesian statistics, etc. Ability to manipulate, combine, and integrate diverse data sets Ability to code – e.g., python or R – for data manipulation Demonstrable ability to collaborate with project partners and end users Knowledge of end user design and application testing Track record in science communication such as conference presentation and peer reviewed publications Able to travel to South East Asia Desirable but not essential Experience working with Bayesian networks and related graphical models Knowledge of water quality and/or aquaculture disease data and modelling Experience undertaking fieldwork and overcoming language barriers Experience working in Southeast Asia, specifically Viet Nam and Thailand Some working knowledge of Vietnamese or Central Thai languages What We Offer Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems. Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas. Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility. Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance. Additional Notes Please note the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa is currently £38,700.00. If the advertised salary for these posts fall below this threshold, we regret to advise that we may not be able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to a non-UK citizen for this role. Applicants who do not meet the conditions to be sponsored as per the UK governments page (https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less) will need to demonstrate an alternative right to work.