Scientist B/Social Epidemiologist UK Non-profit Jobs – Medical Research Council (MRC UK) /UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit
Job Title: Scientist B/Social Epidemiologist
Organisation: Medical Research Council (MRC UK) /UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit
Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda
Reports to: Project Leader/Senior Scientist
Position Code: SBPREPARE – 1120
About US:
The Medical Research Council (MRC UK) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence with dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research, social-behavioural research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council (MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts.
Job Summary: The Scientist B/Social Epidemiologist will be supporting the Preparing for Group B StreptococcuS vaccine studies (PREPARE) qualitative studies at Kawempe Hospital and contributing to the social science team under the supervision of the designated Project team leader.This programme of work, under the EDCTP funded PREPARE consortium activities led by the MU-JHU Research Collaboration, a Clinical Research and Service Delivery Organization, will develop a clinical vaccine trial site in a Sub-Saharan setting capable of undertaking phase 11-IV trials, determine the pregnancy outcome rates in this population in preparation for trials of vaccines in pregnant women, conduct a vaccine trial of a licenced pertussis vaccine, define the burden of neonatal, infant and maternal GBS disease in a Sub-Saharan African population, estimate the serocorrelates of protection against the major GBS types causing disease in European and African settings; and conduct two trials of candidate GBS vaccines.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Ensure well-planned activities are implemented in order to engage all relevant stakeholders using consistent and appropriate messaging and approaches;
- Guide the development of detailed implementation plans and budgets which can be used to plan activities and to monitor their progress;
- Train and set up teams at hospital and community level to manage community engagement activities and coordinate all national level meetings;
- Coordinate the development of communication and training material in regard to maternal vaccination for GBS disease;
- Conduct qualitative interviews in regard to the infection prevention preparedness for GBS vaccines at hospital level and inform the study teams on systems that need to be set up;
- Enable consistent and accurate communication regarding stakeholder engagement activities and their intended outcomes internally as well as be responsible for the overall oversight and management of PREPARE’s public engagement programme at the pilot site;
- Develop, deliver and evaluate a programme of creative and culturally relevant public engagement focused on immunity, vaccination and infections in pregnancy informed and in partnership with local communities, with relevance to a global audience;
- Develop, maintain and manage relationships with key personnel and partner organisations including scientific, creative, community and patient partners;
- Support the Public Engagement Advisory Board and Community Advisory Board and other community influencers
- Design and conduct focus groups and key informant interviews for the PREPARE study.
- Liaise with research stakeholders, informing of progress in data collection and analysis; discussing findings and next steps.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant must be an experienced and published Social Scientist, with a Masters level degree in a relevant field.
- Prior experience with both qualitative and quantitative research and analysis;
- Post graduate qualification in Science Communication, Public Engagement, Health Sciences or related subject is an advantage;
- At least five years of experience in a clinical research setting, preferably including experience in social and behavioural science research;
- Prior interviewing and facilitation experience;
- Prior experience with both qualitative and quantitative research and analysis;
- The candidate should have knowledge of the principle and practices of public engagement, knowledge of different methods of public engagement in health research;
- Appreciation of the potential impacts and methods evaluating public engagement in health research, understanding of social research and co-production principles and methodologies and experience with data management;
- Understanding of working with policy-makers and informing policy, good understanding of vaccine development and research, and concepts of herd immunity;
- Understanding of attitudes to vaccine development and uptake, experience in cohort follow up and conducting research in Uganda are desirable;
- Understanding of the consent process with regard to vaccine trials and assessing individual comprehension of research information
- Good verbal and written communication skills;
- Good command of both English and Luganda; and,
- Proficiency in computer use (MS word, Excel, Access, Nvivo).
How to Apply:
Follow the link below to fill a form and submit your application documentation:
Filling the form more than once will lead to automatic disqualification. High level of integrity while filling the form is required and will be considered during shortlisting. Combine all your application documentation i.e. cover letter, CV & academic documents into one PDF document. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. This position is open to Ugandan nationals only. Strictly follow the application procedure as failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification. Only online applications will be accepted.
The applications should be addressed to:
The Head of Human Resources,
MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit,
P.O. Box, 49,
Entebbe, Uganda.
Deadline: 26th February 2021 by 5:00pm
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