Research Assistant, Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University Hospital

Job Summary

The BMI at AKU is seeking a Research Assistant for the British Academy funded grant ‘A canvas for change: co-producing art to reduce the stigma of neurological disorders in Kenya’, a collaboration between Aga Khan University and Newcastle University, UK.

The Research Assistant will play a vital role in supporting research endeavors under the guidance of Research Associates, Research Managers, and Principal Investigators. Their responsibility will primarily revolve around assisting with participant recruitment, administering interviews and tests, and managing data collected during research activities. Additionally, they will collaborate closely with the Research Associate/Manager to ensure the smooth execution of research projects, including coordinating with research partners and stakeholders, maintaining research instrumentation, and providing technical support as needed. The role may also involve assisting in the dissemination of project results through various channels, such as policy briefs, white papers reports, conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Ensure timely recruitment of study participants for research projects in line with the project timelines.
• Administer interviews, surveys, and neuropsychological tests to research participants.
• Ensure efficiency in organization and maintenance of data collected.
• Ensure adherence to research protocols and ethical guidelines during data collection.
• Provide technical support to researchers and other team members as needed.
• Assist in the preparation of research reports, policy briefs, and other dissemination materials.
• Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and regulations governing research activities.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy of research participants' information.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new skills and methodologies.

Requirements

•  A diploma in a relevant field such as social work or any development related studies, psychology, public health, sociology, or a related discipline.
• Additional certifications or coursework in research methods, data analysis, or relevant areas are preferred but not mandatory.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in research data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Experience working in academic or research settings preferred.
• Familiarity with participant recruitment procedures, data collection techniques (quantitative and qualitative), and research ethics.
• Proficiency in using relevant software for data entry and analysis, such as NVivo, SPSS, Excel, or REDCap.
• Proficiency in English, Swahili and any Mijikenda language (preferably Kigiriama) language skills, writing, spoken.