Jobs at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

Reference Number: RO310122

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To review and summarise issues from the published scientific literature in specific areas of interest, with a particular focus on international collaborative research in Africa; and to update this as needed over time.
• To review and summarise national and international guidelines or policy documents relevant to foci of specific social science research projects; and to update this as needed over time.
• To contribute to the development and ethical conduct of specific areas of social science research at KWTRP, including planning, tool development and data collection and analysis for quantitative and qualitative research, and writing scientific papers and blogs around current areas of work.
• Amongst social science studies, a focal area is empirical ethics research around recent developments and enduring ethical questions in biomedical research. Examples of such foci include developments around the impact of COVID-19 on malaria vaccine trials, which are currently being conducted in Kilifi and recruiting participants from Kilifi County. Other areas may include community engagement in different forms of health research and vulnerability in research.
• To contribute to the dissemination of information from the study, including through the preparation of reports, blogs and manuscripts for publication, making presentations at scientific meetings and feeding back to participants in the consultation exercise.
• Where indicated, provide training and support to other research team members / collaborating partners in areas within these responsibilities.
• And any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• MA or MSc in relevant subjects such as Social Science (related to health), Public Health, Bioethics, Nursing, or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Social Science, Law, or any related field
• At least 3 years of health research experience, ideally including at least 2 years post master’s experience in collecting
and analysing qualitative and quantitative research data. Experience in peer-reviewed publishing will be an advantage.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft applications and software for quantitative and qualitative analysis.

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:

• The workstation will be at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust’s office at Kilifi, with occasional travel to other locations in Kenya and internationally.
• Be available to work out of hours, if necessary.
• The work environment will include both office and field-based tasks

The application closing date is 14 February 2022

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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