Jobs at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

JOB PURPOSE: 

To provide expertise and oversight in multiple micronutrient research within the maternal and child nutrition research group at KWTRP Kilifi/Coast. We are looking for an experienced laboratory researcher with working knowledge of micronutrient analysis to guide the micronutrient body of work within the VIRUTUBISHO Trial.

The VIRUTUBISHO trial is a community based clinical trial of multiple micronutrient supplementation to women of reproductive age (non-pregnant & pregnant) in Kilifi county.  The post holder needs to be experienced in managing laboratory-based research projects in an international setting and be highly self-sufficient to manage complex clinical trial research work. The post is mentally demanding, involving attention to detail and timescales, and strong engagement with stakeholders.

Description: 

REPORTING LINES:

• Principal Investigator of the VIRUTUBISHO Trial.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY:

• Budget planning, oversight, monitoring and reporting responsibilities.

JOB DIMENSIONS:

The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is a world-renowned research institution in Kenya that conducts studies of public health interest. One area of great public health interest is research in maternal and child nutrition that aims at improving health amongst vulnerable women of reproductive age (WRA) in developing countries.  The group is focussed on Management of nutritional At-risk mothers and infants under 6 months of age (MAMI). We have been evaluating contribution of maternal nutrition, and maternal risk factors in poor infant outcomes. We have applied mixed method approach to evaluate breast feeding problems in 1st month of life, hospital-based studies on infants with severe wasting in first 6 months of life to improve breast feeding support in and out of hospital (IBAMI1 & 2). We are members of NeoNunet; a collaborative network of Nigerian and Kenyan newborn units set up to evaluate evidence for feeding of premature and low-birthweight neonate.

The VIRUTUBISHO Trial aims to optimize nutrient requirement for maternal supplementation. It is a Phase 2b dose-finding pharmacokinetic trial of Balanced Energy Protein (BEP) and Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS). It is a community-based trial that will recruit women of reproductive age from two locations in Kilifi north sub-county.

The post holder will be based in Kilifi. They will work with an experienced team of laboratory scientists in the larger nutrition research group led by Professor James Berkley.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To oversee the laboratory objectives of the VIRUTUBISHO trial including liaising with the scientific leadership, data management and trial monitoring to ensure effective implementation of the laboratory aspects of the study.
• To oversee collection of samples and associated data according to the study protocol including haematology, biochemistry, micronutrients, inflammation, microbiome, metabolomics, proteomics, and nutrigenetics studies among others.
• To identify biomarkers and assays to quantify micronutrients and other markers or biological profiles of interest related to micronutrient status in biological samples
• To support harmonization of laboratory procedures for VIRUTUBISHO trial with MINDR trial (Bangladesh).
• To work with internal and external labs conducting analysis of samples from the VIRUTUBISHO trial
• To conduct pharmacokinetics analysis by developing population pharmacokinetic models that will be fitted to data arising from each micronutrient using nonlinear mixed effects modelling
• To develop and maintain a high-level communication with international micronutrient experts and review literature on micronutrients and supplementation among women of reproductive age including identifying reference ranges
• To provide scientific mentorship for students within the VIRUTUBISHO trial.
• To participate in manuscript preparation, grant development, among other scientific roles

Qualifications:

• PhD degree in laboratory sciences or Computational Biology/Bioinformatics or related field.
• At least 1 Upto 4 years post-PhD experience in research laboratory.
• Prior experience in large data processing and analysis and/or experience in statistics / machine learning is required
• A track record of previous publications in bioinformatics analysis of large-scale biological data (e.g. omics, clinical data)
• Significant skills in leadership, organization, prioritisation, problem solving and decision making
• Ability to network, communicate, resolving disputes and maintain good working relationships within a multi-cultural environment.

Desirable:

• Experience handling micronutrients analysis is a added advantage
• Excellent communication skills

Competencies:

• Demonstrated high levels of confidentiality and integrity
• Excellent interpersonal, written, presentation and communication skills 
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Strong Management, leadership and decision-making skills,
• Ability to build strong and diverse effective teams, delegation and team motivationAbility to build productive and collaborative relationships with varied stakeholders

The application closing date is 17 August, 2022.

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JOB PURPOSE: 

To plan, implement and coordinate clinical research operations in the maternal and child nutrition research group at KWTRP Kilifi/Coast. The post holder will be responsible for managing a community based clinical trial of multiple micronutrient supplementation to women of reproductive age (non-pregnant & pregnant) in Kilifi county (VIRUTUBISHO Trial). The post holder needs to be experienced in leading research teams and be highly self-sufficient to manage complex clinical trial research work. The post is mentally demanding, involving attention to detail and timescales, and strong engagement with stakeholders.  

JOB DIMENSIONS:

The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is a world-renowned research institution in Kenya that conducts studies of public health interest. One area of great public health interest is research in maternal and child nutrition that aims at improving health amongst vulnerable women of reproductive age (WRA) in developing countries.  The group is focussed on Management of nutritional At-risk mothers and infants under 6 months of age (MAMI). We have been evaluating contribution of maternal nutrition, and maternal risk factors in poor infant outcomes. We have applied mixed method approach to evaluate breast feeding problems in 1st month of life, hospital-based studies on infants with severe wasting in first 6 months of life to improve breast feeding support in and out of hospital (IBAMI1 & 2). We are members of NeoNunet; a collaborative network of Nigerian and Kenyan newborn units set up to evaluate evidence for feeding of premature and low-birthweight neonate.

The VIRUTUBISHO Trial aims to optimize nutrient requirement for maternal supplementation. It is a Phase 2b dose-finding pharmacokinetic trial of Balanced Energy Protein (BEP) and Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS). It is a community-based trial that will recruit women of reproductive age from two locations in Kilifi north sub-county.

The post holder will be based in Kilifi to promote effective management of the trial and participate in other group activities. They will work with an experienced team of clinical trial co-ordinators in the larger nutrition research group i.e. CHAIN Network(https://chainnetwork.org/). 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Administrative oversight

• Overall coordinator of the VIRUTUBISHO trial to oversee administrative aspects of staffing, project budgeting, procurement and accountability, security, health and safety
• To manage/oversee a team of clinical and field staff working in the VIRUTUBISHO trial
• To undertake/guide risk assessment of study together with study investigator, to maintain a register of the risks, and to participate in developing risk mitigation measures drawing from administrative support in KWTRP in accordance to applicable policies and guidelines
• To lead/guide resolution of operational challenges/problems affecting study team
• Participate in writing of project gantt charts, implementation timelines, and identification of milestones and to use this to regularly monitor overall project progress.

Study coordination

To manage the day-to-day implementation of the VIRUTUBISHO trial.

• Coordinate process of ethics and scientific applications and renewals for the study protocol, and trial registration.
• Manage development of training plans for the research protocol, as well as overall staff recruitment, development trainings and mentorship.  
• Collaborate with the scientific leads on preparation of SOPs, data collection tools (CRFs/Source documents), quality manuals and processes in line with institutional guidelines and international research standards (GCP)
• Responsible for intervention delivery using direct observed treatment (DOTs) to provide multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) to trial participating women of reproductive age in Kilifi.
• Responsible for participants sampling, quality, completeness and transport of samples from field sites to KWTRP laboratories for processing and storage
• Responsible for data collection, reviewing of data quality and completeness on site, and communication with clinical and field teams over query resolutions
• Participate in operations and scientific committees and stakeholder forums at local and international level such as the clinical trials facility monthly meetings.  
• Coordinate stakeholders’ engagement the VIRUTUBISHO study and to maintain register of completed meetings and planned updates.
• Facilitate monitoring of the clinical and field documentation, review progress and apply monitoring recommendations that might include additional trainings.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential:

• Degree in Public Health/Epidemiology/Clinical Trials or related fields
• At least 3 years’ experience in coordinating a clinical trial including setting up a trial and working with trial monitors.
• Competency in computing skills the use of excel sheets, Ms word and power point
• Exceptional project management skills, proficiency in using project management tools and the ability to manage an intensive clinical trial.
• Demonstrable experience in writing high quality reports and presentations in English, with evidence of being attentive to detail.
• Ability to network, communicate, resolving disputes and maintain good working relationships within a multi-cultural environment.

Desirable:

• Community mobilization for a community-based trial
• Familiarity with local setting, culture and language is an added advantage

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.

The application closing date is 16 August, 2022.

go to method of application »

JOB PURPOSE: 

The main purpose of the job is to support highly impactful clinical trials and observational research in child health, being responsible for ensuring data quality and completeness according to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) for an international research network.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage tools for collecting, entering, editing, cleaning, organizing, and archiving data.
• Carry out data review, validation including discrepancy checking, and cleaning.
• Manage data supervisors at sites and within co-ordination team (permanent or casual) in collaboration with Administration and PIs and monitor their performance.
• Design database for capturing and storing data.
• Prepare performance indicator reports on data status as study project progress.
• Co-ordinate data for all study sites projects.
• Conduct preliminary analysis and generate study progress reports and other statistical outputs as required from time to time.
• Participate in the development, review and translation of research tools;
• Participate in the set-up, pre-testing of data collection platforms including open-source research applications.
• Establish data cleaning plans and execute the same to realize high quality data including doing all required consistency checks for project data. Automate a data cleaning pipeline that can organically identify anomalies for continuous improvement on data quality.
• Document project datasets according to the Programme’s guidelines on data documentation, archiving and sharing.
• Extract data and prepare analytical files.
• Develop template syntax files for research staff to use in creating various datasets.
• Perform basic and advanced statistical analysis of data using tools such as STATA and R.
• Assist in training other staff members on data analysis
• Ability and willing to travel to all study sites in Africa and Asia.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential:

• A Degree in Data Management, Statistics, Mathematics or Computer Sciences or Information Technology or related qualification.
• At least 3 years experience in a similar experience. One (1) years supervisory experience an added advantage 
• Experience in Data Management for Clinical Research or trials involving handling of laboratory data.
• Understanding of relational database design, implementation and verification.
• Training and/or experience in data management
• Excellent knowledge of database design and data modelling
• Excellent skills in data manipulation and statistical analysis
• Knowledge of software development methodologies

Desirable Criteria:

• Statistics experience with Stata or R.
• Knowledge of MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MSSQL
• Experience working with R Shiny or data visualization tools

COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrate high levels of integrity and confidentiality 
• Excellent interpersonal, written, presentation and communication skills 
• Basic analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills; 
• Team working and ability to work in diverse teams 
• Flexibility, adaptability, multi-tasking and attention to detail 

The application closing date is 16 August, 2022.