Research Specialist (Rotavirus project), Paediatrics & Child Health - MC

Introduction:

The Outreach and Research Programme of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health has ten community-based field sites across Pakistan (including four in Karachi) and focuses on research for the betterment of women and child health. The Department has a Nutritional Research Laboratory as well as an Infectious Disease Research Laboratory that cater to the needs of its research projects. It has well-acclaimed work to its credit, both at the national and international level.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Responsibilities:

The position entails to supervise project activities and implement study protocols from field operations to data management ensuring quality control and maintaining strong relationships with staff, community, collaborators, and stakeholders. Specific responsibilities include to:

• supervise and monitor coordination of all project-related activities
• ensure proper identification and registration of patients as per study protocol
• monitor timely visits of participants for follow-ups and report protocol deviations
• develop SOPs and manuals of operation for study activities
• provide training to study staff according to protocols and guidelines
• ensure completeness and proper filing and archiving of data
• develop and implement QA QC plans with documentation and reporting
• prepare and compile study progress reports and monthly project reports
• present study results as required
• develop research proposals for funding agencies and contribute to publications.

Requirements:

You should have:

• MBBS or Master’s in Epidemiology and Statistics, MPH or Master’s in Health Policy and Management or equivalent
• preferably additional certification and knowledge of good clinical practices
• at least 3 to 4 years of experience managing research studies, supervising data collection, analysis and drafting manuscripts
• expertise in training teams according to the study protocol
• willingness for frequent travel to different locations for quality assurance and training
• highly organized and self-motivated
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• ability to work independently and in a team
• integrity and strong research ethics
• excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel
• excellent academic writing skills
• good analysis skills on SPSS, STATA, R.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.