African Center for Translational Genomics (ACTG) Fellow at 54gene

Employment Type: Contract
Zip / Postal Code: 105102
Department: Research
Status: Part-Time / Remote
Start Date: November 30, 2020
Reports to: VP, Research, Governance & Ethics    
Term: 24 months

Job Description

• The African Center for Translational Genetics (ACTG) is a not-for-profit entity with funding from 54gene  Inc as part of its vision to democratize precision medicine. The objectives of the centre are to empower the next generation of African genomic scientists through the provision and implementation of grants, fellowships, and internships; enable better health outcomes by powering the discovery of disease variants which will significantly improve responses to drugs especially among African populations, and enhance therapy on the African continent by enabling individualized and precise care that utilizes patient unique genetic identity to develop new targets to medicine.
• As part of ACTG’s pillar on strengthening research, two landmark studies aimed at gathering demographic and health information, as well as, genomics data from 100,000 Nigerians in the first instance are being funded under the auspices of the ACTG. This would serve as a veritable pool of resources that would drive the generation of insights that would have the potential of improving knowledge and health outcomes for Africans and other global populations. These studies are being conducted by a team of researchers under the Non-Communicable Diseases Genetic Heritage Study (NCD-GHS) Consortium. The Non-Communicable Diseases – Genetic Heritage Study (NCD-GHS) Consortium is a collaboration between 54gene, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and the National Biotechnology Development Agency’s Center for Genomics Research and Innovation (NABDA-CGRI).
• We are seeking to appoint a post-doctoral fellow that would work with the NCD-GHS secretariat, and Principal Investigators (PIs) to support the management of the study implementation, as well as, efforts aimed at generating insights from the corresponding data obtained. This includes, but is not limited to, writing reports and publications. This Fellowship position is unique in that it offers an opportunity for a mix of research and applied policy work that leverages the scientific reputation of NIMR, NABDA-CGRI and 54gene’s network of partners and government stakeholders.  

Job Functions

• Draw from relevant expertise to help identify high priority opportunities for strengthening policy and governance for NCD-GHS operations and studies;
• Provide support in the identification of priority scholarship needs in topic areas relevant to the intersection of genomics research, precision medicine and improvements in access to quality healthcare for African populations on diseases of priority to the ACTG and the NCD-GHS;
• Participate in career-development activities such as training and hands-on experience with study operations management and publication of the fellow’s individual research;
• Lead the review, and/or development of policies and standard operating procedures needed to further strengthen the work of the ACTG and the NCHD-GHS
• Identify and address key research questions to deepen and strengthen ACTG’s projects’ technical and/or methodological underpinnings and outcomes;
• Help organize workshops on topics relevant to the project and research questions and/or attend conferences in order to present research findings;
• Be part of project teams that engage industry, government, and academic institutions in building selected initiatives, developing solutions, and taking those solutions into implementation.

Requirements
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• PhD in a related field within the last five years
• Demonstrated interest in genomics and healthcare applications of genomics insights to healthcare improvements
• Ability to produce a variety of written materials and communicate complex topics to a variety of audiences, and
• Superlative interpersonal skills; self-starter, with the ability to work independently and as a member of a team, and to participate in or manage multiple projects simultaneously.