Research Medical Officer I at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

Reference Number: RMOI010222

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (will vary according to post):

• Work with the Principal Investigator, Trial Manager and other relevant staff members to prepare and execute research plans in liaison with other teams in the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System and laboratories.
• Take the lead in/contribute to Pneumonia and IPD surveillance in KCH, multisite nasopharyngeal carriage surveys, the FPCV trial and related studies including set up, identification resource requirements, documentation of protocols and training of the same etc.
• Work with the clinical team and researchers to provide good quality clinical care of patients admitted to the wards (paediatric and/or adult wards), including on-call duties (at a frequency of between 1/4 and 1/7, depending on the size of the clinical team), and to the out-patient clinics.
• Supervise and mentor other study team members, i.e. Clinical Officers, Nurses, Interns, Fieldworkers, including staff from both KWTRP and the County Ministry of Health.
• Ensure adherence to the clinical SOPs regarding clinical, laboratory and radiological investigations of patients in PCVIS and related clinical studies.
• Collate, digitize, catalogue and interpret radiographs for patients with pneumonia and maintain a database of films and readings.
• Carry out desktop research/ literature reviews and prepare/ draft write-ups as may be required for inclusion in/ to support proposals, presentations/seminars and publications.
• Lead the collection, processing, compilation and analysis of study data/samples and ensure all related records and reports are handled and managed in line with study protocols.
• Prepare, analyse and present research summaries to supervisors, hospital staff, Kilifi County public health staff, international collaborators and sponsors.
• Liaise with EDD statistics and data management teams to ensure that all data is entered into relevant databases on time and verified.
• Carry out data analysis and interpretation and provide relevant matrices/ information including statistics, summaries, charts, graphs, reports etc.
• Prepare and submit draft reports as required including activity reports, project progress reports etc.
• Attend and actively participate in investigator’s meetings and other meetings within the department and programme e.g. journal clubs/seminars as needed.
• And any other duties that may be assigned by supervisors from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree in Medicine and Surgery.
• Also have obtained a Masters degree in a non-clinical specialty (e.g. Health Systems Management, Public Health, etc)
• Demonstrable active interest and/or experience in biomedical research.
• 1-3 years’ post qualification work experience.
• Eligibility for registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board i.e you should have completed your internship by the time you commence the position.
• Competency in basic procedures of clinical investigation including lumbar puncture, venepuncture, chest drain insertion, etc.
• Ability to lead and work within a team.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Training and/or experience in epidemiology/public health.
• Training/ experience in literature research, critical appraisal of literature and evidence reviews.
• Knowledge of basic epidemiologic study designs and how to conduct field studies.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft applications.

Desirable

• Training in ICH-GCP.
• Experience/qualification in basic biostatistics and epidemiology.
• Training in adult or paediatric life support (basic and/or advanced).
• Experience or post-graduate training in radiology.
• Current passport and ability to travel for international meetings.

COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrate high levels of integrity and confidentiality
• Excellent interpersonal, written, presentation and communication skills
• Good analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills;
• Teamwork and ability to work with diverse teams
• Strong Flexibility, adaptability, multi-tasking and attention to detail
• Strong team coordination and Supervisory skills.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

• Based at the KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya.
• Be available to work out of hours if necessary.
• Exposure to materials considered infectious and/or biohazards.

The application closing date is 15 February, 2022