THE OPPORTUNITY

It is a very exciting time at The Kids Research Institute Australia as we continue to evolve from what began in the 1980’s as a vision to create a world-class child health research hub. We have recently changed our name from the Telethon Kids Institute, but we continue to achieve our vision of happy, healthy kids!
The Global Disease Modelling team, led by Professor Melissa Penny (Fiona Stanley Chair in Child Health Research), is an interdisciplinary group of researchers that develop and use mathematical models to understand parasitic and viral diseases and inform public health decision-making. The team uses data analysis, as well as modelling and simulation, to examine complex interactions between infectious diseases, individuals, and populations, medical interventions, and health systems. They use these approaches to understand disease progression, pathogenesis and disease transmission, and to estimate impacts of existing and novel health interventions in individuals or at the population level, with the goal to inform decisions during product development through to implementation and policy recommendations. Professor Penny and her team are lead developers of OpenMalaria and other infectious disease models.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a talented Software Developer to join our Global Disease Modelling team. You’ll work collaboratively with team members, the wider Infectious Disease Theme at The Kids, and with various scientists, funding bodies, and policymakers working in and with malaria-endemic countries.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and maintain software applications for infectious disease models.
• Maintain and develop opensource model OpenMalaria.
• Work closely with team members to design and implement scalable, efficient solutions to support disease models and address questions on disease dynamics and intervention impact.
• Collaborate with scientists to optimize and implement new models, complex statistical models, analysis and machine learning workflows.
• Design intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for accessing and visualizing model output.
• Document code, develop best practices and ensure the reusability and scalability of software products.

Conveniently located at Perth Children’s Hospital, this role will be offered on a full-time basis for 3 years, with the possibility of renewal.

ABOUT YOU

If you’re a skilled and motivated Software Developer seeking a new challenge and meet the following qualifications, this role could be an ideal fit for you:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• PhD/thesis submitted or equivalent experience in mathematics, statistics or a similar quantitative discipline is not essential but considered highly desirable.
• Proven proficiency in programming language C++, as well as proficiency in two or more other programming languages (e.g. Python, R, JAVA, and/or JavaScript), with familiarity with scripting and automation.
• Opensource code and git experience.
• Experience in statistical modelling, data analysis and machine learning.
• Excellent communication skills and strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrable evidence of success within a collaborative, team-based research setting.

ABOUT US

Our aim is to create a workplace where people are respected and encouraged to fulfil their potential. We encourage a workforce that is innovative, eager to acquire knowledge and enhance skills; we embrace all employee differences, foster a culture that supports diversity and inclusion, and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations where required.

HOW TO APPLY

If you think that this is the right role and an exciting new challenge for you, please click on ‘Apply Now’ to navigate to our Career Site to view the Job Description and submit your application.

YOUR COVER LETTER (NO MORE THAN 2 PAGES) SHOULD SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE OUTLINED IN THE “ABOUT YOU” SECTION ABOVE.

Applications will only be accepted through our career portal. If you are experiencing technical difficulties with our online portal, please direct your query to recruitment@thekids.org.au
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, please direct your inquiries to recruitment@thekids.org.au.
Contact Name: Melissa Penny
Contact Email: Melissa.Penny@thekids.org.au
Closing Date: 12/02/2025 - We reserve the right to hire prior to the closing date

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and maintain software applications for infectious disease models.
• Maintain and develop opensource model OpenMalaria.
• Work closely with team members to design and implement scalable, efficient solutions to support disease models and address questions on disease dynamics and intervention impact.
• Collaborate with scientists to optimize and implement new models, complex statistical models, analysis and machine learning workflows.
• Design intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for accessing and visualizing model output.
• Document code, develop best practices and ensure the reusability and scalability of software products

If you’re a skilled and motivated Software Developer seeking a new challenge and meet the following qualifications, this role could be an ideal fit for you:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• PhD/thesis submitted or equivalent experience in mathematics, statistics or a similar quantitative discipline is not essential but considered highly desirable.
• Proven proficiency in programming language C++, as well as proficiency in two or more other programming languages (e.g. Python, R, JAVA, and/or JavaScript), with familiarity with scripting and automation.
• Opensource code and git experience.
• Experience in statistical modelling, data analysis and machine learning.
• Excellent communication skills and strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrable evidence of success within a collaborative, team-based research setting