Call for applications for the OITF Pandemic Simulation Exercise 2027

An immersive, cross-network pandemic response exercise — are you ready?

15–17 March 2027

Rio de Janeiro region, Brazil

3-day immersive 24-hour exercise

The Outbreak Investigation Task Force (OITF) of the Institut Pasteur, Paris in collaboration with the Pasteur Network is launching its first cross-network pandemic simulation exercise — a high-intensity, scenario-driven training designed to test and strengthen our collective capacity to respond to pandemics.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

To test and strengthen the Pasteur Network’s collective capability to detect, coordinate research and respond to pandemics — including information sharing, communication and collaboration between PN members under real pressure.

CORE OBJECTIVES

1.     Strengthen pandemic response coordination across the Pasteur Network — alert sharing, diagnostics deployment, data exchange, and research mobilization

2.     Test the science–decision-making interface — how scientific evidence informs public health decisions in real time under pressure

3.     Identify critical gaps and vulnerabilities — in logistics, communication, governance, and rapid activation of research and response capacity

4.     Propose future steps for pandemic preparedness — translating lessons learned during the SimEx into future activities for the Epidemic Intelligence and Preparedness Pillar 1 of the PN 2025-2030 Roadmap

WHAT TO EXPECT

A compressed pandemic scenario unfolding in real time across escalating phases and geographic levels.

Role-based group work and scenarios with facilitated debriefs.

Structured lessons-learned session and contribution to Pasteur Network preparedness recommendations.

A fun experience to learn and share expertise with a variety of colleagues from other PN members.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

·      Only colleagues within Pasteur Network members

·      Mid-career level with at least 5 years of work experience within and outside PN

·      Professional profiles: epidemiologist, anthropologist, virologist, microbiologist, immunologist, veterinarian, medical professional, mathematical modelling, health policies, public and international affairs, health economics, research managers and related areas of expertise.

·      Expertise: Infectious diseases, surveillance, one health (human and/or animal and/or environmental), emergency response, preparedness, medical countermeasures and clinical trials, diagnostic development, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, response coordination.

·      Working or willing to work across disciplines and across borders in collaboration with other Pasteur Network members as well as external partners

·      Professional proficiency in English (working language of the exercise)

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES SOUGHT

Professional profiles: epidemiologist, anthropologist, virologist, microbiologist, immunologist, veterinarian, medical professional, mathematical modelling, health policies, public and international affairs, health economics, research manager, and related areas of expertise.

HOW TO APPLY

Please fill in the following application form:

KEY DATES

Applications open: 10th  September 2026

Application deadline: 8th October 2026

Notification of selected participants: The 20 participants will be selected across disciplines and PN members in order to guarantee representation of all specialties needed to respond to a pandemic, as well as equal geographic representation across the PN. Successful candidates will be notified at the beginning of November 2026.

Arrival on site in Brazil: 14 March 2027

SimEx: 15–17 March 2027