Postdoctoral Research Associate

Closes : February 9, 2025
  • Full Time
  • Blantyre
  • Applications have closed

Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust

Job Description

Background 

MLW conducts internationally excellent research in areas within Clinical & Experimental Medicine, Infection Biology, Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health, Population Health, Social Sciences, and Vaccines, with the aim of tackling health and wellbeing challenges in Malawi and beyond. MLW also seeks to nurture and train the next generation of researchers and leaders in public health, providing them with access to excellent funding, facilities, and partnerships.

The Public Health and Biostatistics Associate Research groups at MLW forms part of the Population Health Theme at MLW. Broadly, the theme works on the following areas including high-resolution surveillance, epidemiology, and geospatial statistics to inform better-targeted delivery of health interventions; randomised trial designs, implementation, and analysis methods to rapidly evaluate promising health interventions; and health economics, policy, and implementation science to scale up interventions and measure impact

Job Summary 

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in epidemiological research and clinical trial implementation to join our team. The successful candidate will lead the implementation and management of a Wellcome-funded study to understand new TB infections. The study will advance epidemiological methods for surveillance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by using innovative methods for case finding, and prevention (ZAMSA-TB study).

 

Responsibilities

The individual will have the following tasks:

  1. Study Management:
    • Working together with the project manager, oversee the day-to-day operations of the study, ensuring adherence to protocol and ethical standards.
    • Coordinate patient recruitment, enrollment, and follow-up within the study.
    • Supervise data collection and ensure high-quality, accurate data management.
  2. Community Engagement:
    • Build and maintain relationships with community stakeholders, including local healthcare providers, public health officials, and community leaders.
    • Facilitate community meetings and ensure culturally sensitive trial communication.
    • Address concerns and promote trust within the community to support trial success.
  3. Research and Analysis:
    • Contribute to the design and refinement of trial protocols and standard operating procedures.
    • Prepare and present progress reports for internal and external stakeholders such as the research team, the funder and ethics committee.
    • Collaborate on manuscript preparation and dissemination of research findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
    • Pursue own research agenda that can be nested within the main study. The candidate will be encouraged to participate in grant writing for funding opportunities to support future research activities.
  4. Team Supervision and Collaboration:
    • Train and supervise field staff and research assistants involved in the study.
    • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including statisticians, epidemiologists, and clinical researchers.
    • Maintain strong links with key collaborators such as the TB Control Programme.

All staff are employed under the MLW Programme and are ultimately responsible to the Programme whether directly employed under the Core Grant, a Research Fellowship or project grant. All staff are expected to be flexible and may be required to contribute to the activities of the Core Programme or other projects.

Requirements

Qualifications 

  • A Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Medicine, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field.
  • Clinical experience, particularly in infectious diseases or TB, is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience in conducting clinical or community-based trials.
  • Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders effectively.

MLW recognizes its responsibility in safeguarding and protecting communities, research participants and patients with whom MLW is working. Please note that successful candidates will be requested to undergo a safeguarding check prior to appointment and at regular time points during employment.

Mode of application and Requirements
  • Copies of relevant certificates,
  • A detailed CV with 3 contactable referees
  • All documents should be sent in the applicant’s names as one (1) pdf file.
  • Please indicate the position title (As indicated above)  as the heading of the email.
  • All applications should be sent to [email protected]
  • Applications that do not adhere to the above instructions will not be considered
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