Research Clinician at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia

Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia – The MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of two research units established in sub- Saharan Africa by the Medical Research Council UK and is the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM’s single largest investment in medical research in a low and middle-income country. MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM represents a unique concentration of scientific expertise and high-quality research platforms in the West African region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research Clinician

Location: Fajara
Salary: Grade 2-30 Points

Introduction

• Established in 1947, the Medical Research Council in The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has an international reputation for ground-breaking research into some of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries.
• Achievements include a large trial showing the efficacy of Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine in The Gambia and the subsequent near elimination of the disease, pioneering studies of the impact  of insecticide treated bed nets as a preventive measure against malaria leading up to their worldwide use, studies demonstrating the impact of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines on pneumonia and child mortality and the demonstration of  a dramatic reduction in the carriage of Hepatitis B in The Gambia due to the effects of vaccination.
• To reflect changes in national and global health priorities and new international funding opportunities a new research portfolio has been organized under three themes: Disease Control & Elimination; Vaccines & Immunity; Nutrition.  These themes have been selected to target health needs of low and middle income countries, to reinforce sub-regional and international collaborations and to address some of the major current priorities in the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The Unit established a clinical trials support office to conduct and advise others on the conduct of clinical research, to provide professional leadership and training in clinical trials, including support to address the current regulatory environment in relation to Good Clinical Practice and the EU Clinical Trials Directive.
• A number of clinical vaccine trials are currently ongoing at the Unit – predominantly within the Vaccines and Immunity Theme. These include early phase trials of new vaccines targeting diseases prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and well as trials exploring new vaccine schedules and alternative target age groups designed to facilitate implementation.
• The post-holder may be based at MRC Fajara or elsewhere in The Gambia according to the needs of ongoing trials.

Purpose of the Job

• To provide clinical care, adequate documentation, and supervise the fieldwork according to study protocol.
•  To conduct surveillance for morbidity and mortality among study participants.
• To provide up to date research activities and liaise with the sponsors, local trial and safety monitors.

Role
The post-holder will:

• Ensure that study objective and methods are explained in an appropriate language to potential study participants and/or guardians as applicable, and informed consent is obtained prior to enrolment.
• Motivate, supervise, train and monitor the work of field team on a daily basis to ensure that recruitment, clinical assessment, care, and follow-up of study participants and collection of data and samples are taken accurately, according to protocol and in a timely fashion.
• Strictly adhere to GCP guidelines, study protocol and MRC safety manual at all times. Ensure that confidentiality is maintained in the collection and handling of information.
• Conduct the clinical assessment, investigation and care of study participants as may be required.
• Monitor treatment, progress of study participants if admitted for in-patient care.
• Undertake verbal autopsies if necessary to ascertain the cause of death of study participants, if any.
• As part of the safety follow-up for this trial the clinician will need to provide on-call cover at night and at weekends to assess any study subject who becomes unwell out of hours.

Relationships:

• The post-holder will be a full-time member of the MRCG at LSHTM staff.
• The Unit Director and Theme Leader for the Disease Control & Elimination Theme is Professor Umberto D’Alessandro.
• The Director of Operations is Mr Joan Vives Tomas.
• The post-holder will report to Dr Ed Clarke, Principal Investigator of the trials.
• The Theme Leader for the Vaccines and Immunity Theme is Professor Beate Kampmann.

Appraisals:

• Appraisals are held at least annually.

Length of Appointment:

• The appointment is for 1 year initially and is subject to a probationary period of 6 months.

Any other duties:

• To perform any other duties consistent with the remit of the post.

Person Specification
Essential Requirements:

• MB BS or equivalent
• Experience of staff management
• Commitment to working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills
• A flexible and well-organized approach to work and an ability to meet deadlines
• Attentiveness to detail
• Excellent organizational skills
• Willingness to be on-call and work outside the normal working hours
• Paediatric, adult medical and/or obstetrics & gynaecology experience

Desirable:

• Practical experience in health research in developing countries
• Previous experience in conducting clinical trials according to ICH-GCP
• Record of publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Part 1 / 2 of FWACP (or FWACOG) or equivalent
• Postgraduate qualifications (Masters, Doctoral level)
• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access)

Remuneration

• The salary will be paid in Grade 2.30 Points of MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM’s payscale at a net monthly salary of 74, 060 Dalasi. This converts to a take home pay of $1, 481 approximately per month using the prevailing Dalasi/USD exchange rate.
• Please note that the salary will be paid in Dalasi and that the USD figure quoted is only given as a guide.
• For displaced staff the package will include rent-free furnished accommodation, flights, displacement allowance for spouse and children, contribution to school fees and shipment of personal effects.
• The appointment is for 1 year initially and will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months.

Deadline: 30th October, 2020.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should please download the “Application Form” below. Completed application forms and documents should be e-mailed to: recruitment@mrc.gm

Click Here to Download Application Form (Ms Word)

Click Here for More Information

Note

• MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM is an equal opportunities employer and operates a strict no smoking policy.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.