Research Clinician at Medical Research Council

Location: Fajara and elsewhere in Gambia
Duration: The appointments will be for 1 year initially and will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months.

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.

Purpose of the Job

• To provide clinical care, adequate documentation, and supervise the field work 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 objectives 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 post-holder will report to the Principal Investigator of thestudy.
• The Theme Leaders for Vaccines & Immunity and Nutrition are Professors Beate Kampmann and Andrew Prentice respectively.
• The Unit Director and Theme Leader for the Disease Control & Elimination Theme is Professor Umberto D’Alessandro.

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:

• MBBS or equivalent
• Experience of staff management
• Excellent written and spoken English
• 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 and gynaecology experience.

Desirable:  

• Practical experience of 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).

Salary

• The salary will be paid in Grade 2, 30 Points of MRCG at LSHTM’s payscale at a net monthly salary of 76, 255 Dalasi. This converts to a take home pay of $1, 525 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.