Epicentre is a non-profit organization created in 1987 by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which groups health professionals specialized in public health and epidemiology. In 1996, Epicentre became a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Response to Emerging Diseases. Epicentre carries out operational research studies, mainly within MSF movement from its headquarters in Paris, satellites in Geneva, Brussels, Barcelona, London and New-York, and two field research bases in Mbarara-Uganda and Maradi-Niger. Epicentre also offers its expertise to organizations requesting short-term field epidemiological studies in developing countries.
Context Epicentre and Médecins Sans Frontières (French section) are implementing a study of the relationship between HIV and measles infection in Chiradzulu, Malawi. The objective of this study is to ascertain if HIV-related immunosuppression plays a role in susceptibility to measles infection, in order to guide vaccination policy. The study will take place embedded in ongoing activities at the district hospital in Chiradzulu, where MSF has implemented an HIV/AIDS care program for HIV+ patients since 2001, and at Queens hospital in Blantyre, a collaborating institution with MSF.
Function and position The Clinical Research Assistant will work closely with the MSF team in Chiradzulu and Lilongwe to ensure smooth collaboration with MSF and its partners, and will work under the supervision of the principal investigator at Epicentre, Paris. In Malawi, the Clinical Research Assistant will work under the authority of MSF-France Head of mission for administrative, logistics and security matters.
Activities The Clinical Research Assistant will implement the study protocol and supervise the field activities of the study. More precisely, his/her role will be to:
Implement the study with the principal investigator and the co-investigators using the study protocol and Standard Operating Procedures for patient inclusion, data collection and laboratory analysis.
Coordinate with the MSF referent doctor and field coordinators (hospital and decentralized) the screening of patient eligibility for the study, each week in order to optimize the inclusion process.
Ensure study team is trained on and understands the study Standard Operating Procedures, including: inclusion and consenting procedures (patients fully understand study procedures and information provided to patients), biological specimens (sampling of blood, labelling, records) and laboratory testing.
Verify the correct procedures of the laboratory examinations of the patients and that they are correctly transferred and stored at the Chiradzulu and Queens hospital laboratories with respect to the Standard Operational Procedure and cold chain.
Ensure study lab specimens are appropriately transported, received by the study laboratory technicians, processed (including log books of specimens in and results) and complete the appropriate section in the Case Report Form.
Establish and follow the list of patients included or eligible but not included.
Oversee a research/data assistant, including training in data entry, file organization, field support, as needed and implement the double data entry system.
Stay in regular contact with principal and co-investigators, including the writing of and sending a regular report (every 2 weeks) on the progression of the study (rhythm of inclusions/non inclusions, data entry, logistics and needed support.
He/she will collaborate with the MSF-F team in Chiradzulu and will work under the supervision of the principal investigators of the study, based in Blantyre, in collaboration with the co-investigator in the field.
Candidate requirements Essential: Medical Doctor Field experience in developing countries, preferably in Africa Computer literacy Fluent English speaker Dynamism, rigour and ability to work with a team are required qualities
Desirable: Experience with HIV/AIDS and/or measles Experience in clinical research/epidemiology Experience with MSF
Conditions Place: Chiradzulu, Malawi Status: Volunteer status Duration: 6 months (starting mid-November 2011 )
Please send you CV and motivation letter to Nathalie Guérineau at job@epicentre.msf.org (Ref : CRA-Malawi) Deadline of application: 15th October 2011
For further information about the position, please contact: Jonathan Polonsky, jonathan.polonsky@epicentre.msf.org
No comments: