JOB PURPOSE:
The Epidemiology & Demography Department at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme is advertising for a Research Medical Officer I position, open to recently qualified doctors.
The post holder will be responsible for aiding day-to-day coordination and leading safety monitoring on a clinical trial of fractional doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (FPCV) and initiating other studies as discussed with the PI.
This position includes on-the-job training in research methods and programme management as well as roles in data management, field-laboratory liaison, sample/specimen management, analysis, and preparation of publications.
JOB DIMENSIONS:
The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Collaborative Research Programme (KWTRP) researches diseases with the highest burden in developing countries for which it is recognised internationally within the fields of international public health, clinical tropical medicine, epidemiology and immunology.
The programme aims to maximise opportunities for learning and training in order to maintain a cadre of highly skilled and experienced staff from all disciplines.
The fractional dose pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (FPCV) trial aims to assess whether lower doses of the two currently commercially available pneumococcal conjugate vaccines protect Kenyan infants as well as the full dose schedules. We will compare the immune response and carriage of the pneumococcus in the nose (a surrogate marker for disease) after vaccination with a full, 40% or 20% dose schedule. If lower doses prove efficacious the cost of the vaccine may become more affordable.
The post-holder will be responsible for performing duties as a medical officer for the FPCV trial and may be asked to contribute to other studies within the department.
Post holder will work with the FPCV Trial Manager, and Principal Investigator to contribute, where applicable, to tasks preparatory to projects including developing and submitting proposals and protocols, developing study work plans, organizing and conducting training for project-specific staff. Post holders will also be involved in higher level responsibilities for ensuring field and laboratory procedures are carried out to quality standards as well as data analysis, preparation of reports and manuscripts.
The Post holder will need to be self-sufficient and be able to work with minimal supervision against demanding yet often unpredictable timelines. The post is mentally demanding and involves a high level of communication. The post holder may also be required to contribute to other linked projects.
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.
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.
How to apply
To apply, please use the below link:
https://jobs.kemri-wellcome.org/job-advert/research-medical-officer-i-2
https://jobcenterkenya.com/research-medical-officer-i/
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