Launched in 2017, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an international coalition of governments, academic, philanthropic, private, public, and intergovernmental institutions whose vision is to create a world in which epidemics and pandemics are no longer a threat to humanity. Our mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biological countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need.
CEPI played a central role in the global response to COVID-19, creating the world’s largest portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines – seven of which are approved for global or domestic use – and co-leading COVAX, the global initiative to support equitable access which supported the delivery of over 2bn vaccine doses globally. CEPI has contributed several scientific breakthroughs in vaccine development against other infectious diseases, including the first ever licensed Chikungunya vaccine and the first Nipah and Lassa virus vaccines into Phase 1 and 2 trials.
CEPI’s five-year plan for 2022-2026 – known as CEPI 2.0 – will contribute toward CEPI’s ultimate goal of dramatically reducing or even eliminating the future risk of pandemics and epidemics. Central to the plan is CEPI’s goal to accelerate the time taken to develop safe, effective, globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days.
In CEPI we strive for diverse thinking, and we want a culturally, intellectually and geographically diverse pool of candidates for all our vacancies. We work for an inclusive working environment where each employee can contribute and grow.
CEPI is a not-for-profit association under Norwegian Law and has offices in Oslo (HQ), London, and Washington DC and working globally. More details about CEPI and our mission can be found on our website: www.cepi.net.
About the role
CEPI is seeking a highly skilled Senior Epidemiologist to join our team for an 18 month fixed-term contract. The candidate will have expertise in vaccinology and epidemiologic research in CEPI’s priority pathogens. The role will be part of the Epidemiology and Data Sciences (E&DS) department within the R&D division. The E&DS department supports CEPI, its partners and stakeholders by bridging key epidemiological knowledge gaps to advance vaccine development, strengthen outbreak preparedness, and support achievement of CEPIs 100 Days Mission.
We are looking for candidates who are motivated by CEPI’s mission, have a medical or biomedical science degree, with ten (10) or more years conducting epidemiological research. The ideal candidate has experience in vaccine R&D, conducting epidemiological studies in low-resource settings with a focus on Lassa fever, and cultural awareness of collaborating with multiple partners, including in low-resource settings. Preferably, the candidate will also possess strong project management skills and exceptional attention to detail, while also demonstrating the ability to take a strategic, high-level view to align day-to-day activities with broader organizational goals. The post-holder will report directly to the Head of Epidemiology Science and Preparedness.
Purpose of Role
The key purpose of the role is to provide leadership, operational guidance and technical expertise to the overall delivery and execution of Enable 1.5, a multi-site cohort study investigating burden of Lassa fever and building research capacity in West Africa. Responsibilities extend to ensuring the analysis, interpretation and publication of results and lessons learned, and execution of a communication strategy with a focus on increasing visibility of project externally and to inform the LF research ecosystem of critical results coming out of the Enable programme activities. The post-holder will also contribute to the broader achievement of departmental strategic goals to further advance the development of CEPI’s vaccine candidate portfolio. The post-holder will work closely across CEPI’s Research & Development departments, with the Lassa fever disease programme team as well as other internal and external partners, including WHO and vaccine developers. This is a full time, 18 months fixed term role.
Responsibilities
- Function as the Epidemiological lead for the Enable Lassa fever programme.
- Provide leadership and scientific oversight to ensure the successful delivery of Enable 1.5
- Oversee and track the performance and delivery of the day-to-day project management conducted by the Technical Coordinating Partner (IVI/MRC Gambia) and ensuring the smooth delivery of the Enable programme in field operations and attend weekly meetings and country-specific calls as required.
- Ensure timely development, delivery and circulation of project updates and critical information to relevant stakeholders, and update and implement Enable’s communication strategy with a focus on increasing the visibility of the project internally and externally and to ensure dissemination of the results.
- Provide epidemiological and scientific input to the design and execution of a social behavioural science study and any additional Lassa fever studies identified.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to team members and relevant Global south Fellows seconded to the E&DS department
- Engage in stakeholder engagement through the Lassa fever international coalition.
- Oversee coordination of field visits by internal and external stakeholders to the Enable sites as needed.
- Proactively identify issues and/or obstacles and develop resolutions and/or contingencies to guide the Enable programme to a successful outcome.
In addition to the above core roles, the post holder will contribute more broadly to the E&DS departmental objectives through:
- Functioning as the Epidemiological lead for H5N1.
- Ensure the disease programme team is provided with timely, reliable, and appropriately analysed epidemiological data on CEPI’s priority diseases and support the strategic disease roadmap
- Provide scientific and technical input to support internal vaccine projects and initiatives.
- Support the implementation of the E&DS strategic framework to achieve the objectives of the Epidemiology Science and Preparedness pillar and support CEPI 2.0 objectives
- Provide technical and strategic support to formulating the departmental strategic approach to CEPI 3.0 and CEPI’s 100-day mission.
- Contribute to the broader functioning of the department through various activities, including attendance to team meetings and retreats, conducting reviews and providing feedback to departmental technical documents, and through supporting team members to facilitate advancing departmental objectives.
- Develop internal partnerships with key R&D departments (Clinical Development, Regulatory, Laboratory, and Research Innovations), other CEPI divisions, and disease programme teams, where appropriate.
- Manage externally commissioned research projects, which includes establishing, maintaining, and expanding relationships to partner effectively with external experts and research groups to negotiate time frames, resource requirements, and ensure timely delivery of the results as agreed.
- Keep abreast of epidemiological developments within academia, regulatory, and among key opinion leaders.
Education, Experience and Competence
- Medical or biomedical science degree (MD plus MPH or PhD) with specialist experience in epidemiological research in infectious diseases.
- At least ten or more years of demonstrated experience conducting advanced epidemiological research, including multi-country, multi-site prospective cohort studies or other longitudinal studies.
- Experience working in the pharmaceutical industry, or not-for-profit vaccine development, as an epidemiologist for vaccine development projects in global multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience leading and conducting field research projects, preferably on CEPI’s priority pathogens, in low-resource settings.
- Expertise and knowledge in Lassa fever, H5N1, spillover diseases or disease X is a plus.
- Self-starter with a flexible, positive, pro-active attitude including innovative working and decision-making abilities.
- Ability and flexibility to balance multiple and complex tasks and effectively perform in a matrix environment.
- Problem-solving abilities with the ability to identify issues and seek advice as required.
- Strong interpersonal skills and able to work at pace and adaptively across multiple workstreams in a dynamic environment.
- High level of self-awareness and ability to collaborate with people cross-functionally and across different geographic regions, in multidisciplinary teams.
- Understanding and sensitivity to international and global interactions.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, as demonstrated through first-author peer-reviewed papers.
Travel and Location Requirements
- This position will be based out of the London or Oslo offices.
- Applicants should hold a valid work permit. We will not relocate or sponsor a work visa for this 18 months, fixed term role.
- Travel to other countries &/or regions is estimated to require up to 20% of the time.
What we can offer you
- Experience in the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks.
- The opportunity to work together with leading internal and external experts on solutions for global challenges.
- A diverse and inclusive working environment.
How to apply
- For more information on how to apply, please visit: https://cepisites.secure.force.com/careers
- Should you have any issues submitting your application or have questions please contact jobs@cepi.net
- Background verification will be conducted to verify information provided in the CV and available documentation
- Deadline for receiving applications is 15th June 2025 at 23:59 CET
