LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY
Clinical Lecturer/Senior Clinical Lecturer to conduct research on child survival based at the Medical
Research Council Unit in The Gambia
Ref: TEG15-MRC
The MRC Unit in The Gambia has conducted ground-breaking research on the leading causes
of morbidity and mortality in the tropics for over 50 years. Despite substantial falls in child
mortality over the past several decades, current levels remain unacceptably high. The
research programme in the Unit has recently been reorganised under three themes: Child
Survival, Disease Control & Elimination and Vaccinology. We are seeking to appoint a clinical
epidemiologist to play a major role in the Child Survival Theme. The person will be appointed
will be on the staff of the MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group (TEG) in LSHTM but will be based
full-time in The Gambia, with frequent contact with the TEG and other LSHTM staff in London.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in two major research thrusts in the coming
years: studies based in health facilities, with an emphasis on diagnostics and treatment of the
severely ill child, and community-based interventions to reduce child mortality. The successful
applicant will be required to develop and lead relevant research projects within this Theme
and to contribute actively to the Unit’s wider programme of research.
The appointment will be for three years in the first instance, extendable by mutual
agreement, and will be made on the School’s Clinical Lecturer/Senior Clinical Lecturer scale of
£39,721 to £72,536 dependent on qualifications/experience.
Applications should be made online at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference for this post is
TEG15-MRC. Applications should also include a CV and the names and email contacts of 2
referees who can be contacted immediately if shortlisted. Closing date for the receipt of
applications is 8 May 2013.
Interested applicants are invited to contact Dr Stephen Howie (showie@mrc.gm) or Professor
Peter Smith (peter.smith@lshtm.ac.uk) for further information.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal
opportunities employer.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND JOB DESCRIPTION
THE SCHOOL
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is one of Europe’s leading schools of
Public Health and a leading postgraduate institution worldwide for research and postgraduate
education in global health.
Part of the University of London, the London School is the largest institution of its kind in
Europe with a remarkable depth and breadth of expertise encompassing many disciplines.
The School was ranked one of the top 3 research institutions in the country in the Times
Higher Education’s 'table of excellence', which is based on the 2008 Research Assessment
Exercise (RAE). In 2009, the School became the first UK institution to win the Gates Award for
Global Health.
The School’s environment is a rich multicultural one: there are almost 4000 students from
100+ countries following 22 taught masters courses delivered either in London (~650) or
through distance learning (~2700), and undertaking research degree training (~400). Over
40% of these students are from non-European countries. The largest growth has been in
distance learning students (>40% over 3 years), though the London-based student population
(where accommodation limits growth) is at its highest level ever. Alumni are working in more
than 180 countries. The School has about 1500 staff drawn from over 60 nationalities.
There are research collaborations with over 100 countries throughout the world, utilizing our
critical mass of multidisciplinary expertise which includes clinicians, epidemiologists,
statisticians, social scientists, economists, molecular biologists, immunologists,
ophthalmologists, anthropologists, virologists, pharmacologists and nutritionists. At any one
time around 100 School staff are based overseas, particularly in Africa and Asia. We have a
strong commitment to partnership with institutions in low and middle income countries to
support the development of teaching and research capacity.
The School has expanded greatly in recent years. Its research funding now exceeds £67M per
annum, much of it from highly competitive national and international sources. The
commitment of staff to methodological rigour, innovative thinking and policy relevance will
ensure that the School continues to occupy a leadership position in national and global
health, adapting quickly to new challenges and opportunities.
MISSION
To improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to
achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of
knowledge into policy and practice.
THE FACULTY
The Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health (EPH) houses a large group of
epidemiologists, demographers, statisticians and nutritionists working on issues of major
public health importance in the UK and globally. EPH has approximately 330 staff members
organised into four research departments.
•
•
•
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Department of Population Health
Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Department of Medical Statistics
Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology
The Faculty has a teaching programme consisting of nine MSc courses: Epidemiology,
Demography and Health, Medical Statistics, Public Health in Developing Countries (run jointly
with the Faculties of Infectious & Tropical Diseases and Public Health & Policy), Public Health
Nutrition, Reproductive & Sexual Health Research, Veterinary Epidemiology (run jointly with
the Royal Veterinary College), and the Distance Learning courses in Epidemiology and Clinical
Trials. The Faculty also has approximately 149 research students studying for an MPhil, PhD or
DrPH degree. The Dean of Faculty is Professor John Edmunds.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (Head: Professor Carine Ronsmans) has
over 80 academic staff who conduct research on the epidemiology and control of infectious
diseases of public health importance. Research is carried out in both in developing countries
and industrialized countries and ranges from ecological studies of variations in disease
frequency in different populations, through observational case-control and cohort studies to
define risk factors for disease, to randomized controlled trials to test the impact of specific
preventive and curative interventions.
The Department has major field research programmes in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana,
Brazil and Europe and numerous collaborative projects in other countries in Africa, Asia and
Latin America. Major interests are in the epidemiology and control of HIV and other sexually
transmitted diseases, tuberculosis and other mycobacteria, malaria and other tropical
parasites, hepatitis, measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, respiratory diseases and
gastro-intestinal infections. The Department is home to the MRC-funded Tropical
Epidemiology Group, and a large research programme on maternal and perinatal health. The
Department includes both medical and statistical epidemiologists, and there is considerable
interest in methodological work, including research on statistical methods, transmission
models, genetic epidemiology and immuno-epidemiology. There are strong collaborative links
with other Departments across all three Faculties, including with the Clinical Research and
Immunology Departments.
The Department has an active research degree training programme, with over 40 PhD
students.
THE MRC TROPICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY GROUP
The post will be in the MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group (TEG; Head Dr Helen Weiss), within
the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology. TEG comprises about 30 statisticians and
epidemiologists with a wide ranging research portfolio. TEG staff conduct studies on the
epidemiology and control of major public health problems of developing countries, with a
major focus on HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, and a special emphasis on intervention studies.
Most of the group’s research is based in Africa and Asia.
The applicant will be encouraged to contribute to the TEG’s activities and will be expected to
contribute to the School’s postgraduate teaching programme. S/he will also be expected to
contribute to the ongoing capacity development of African collaborators.
MRC UNIT, THE GAMBIA
Established in 1947, the Medical Research Council in The Gambia (Director; Professor Tumani
Corrah) has an international reputation for ground-breaking research into some of the leading
causes of morbidity and mortality in the tropics. 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 efficacy of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines against 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 implemented organized under three themes:
Child Survival; Disease Control & Elimination; Vaccinology. These themes have been selected
to target national health needs, to reinforce sub-regional and international links and to
address major priorities in the health-related Millennium Development Goals.
The Child Survival Theme (Head: Dr Stephen Howie) has its focus on the prevention and
treatment of leading causes of death in children. One of the theme’s current research
platforms focuses on severe pneumonia and the Unit is conducting a number of studies of risk
factors for, and the treatment and control of, severe pneumonia in children, and is part of the
multi-country Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) project. Other projects
within the Theme include a large pneumococcal conjugate vaccine effectiveness study and
participation in a multi-country diarrhoea study, the Global Enterics Multi-centre Study
(GEMS). Cross-thematic collaborations between Child Survival, Vaccinology, and Disease
Control & Elimination enrich the full range of projects across the MRC Unit.
The Child Survival Theme will pursue 2 major thrusts in coming years: health facility-based
sick child studies with an emphasis on diagnostics and treatment for the severely ill child, and
community-based interventions to reduce child mortality.
www.mrc.gm
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST:
Clinical Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Child Survival)
GRADE:
5 to 18 (on LSHTM’s Clinical Lecturer/Senior Clinical Lecturer
Scale), dependent on experience/qualifications.
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Dr Stephen Howie, MRC Unit, The Gambia, Theme Leader (Child
Survival) and Professor Peter Smith, Tropical Epidemiology
Group, LSHTM
The post holder will be based full-time in the MRC Unit in The Gambia and will be affiliated to
LSHTM’s Tropical Epidemiology Group within the Department of Infectious Disease
Epidemiology.
The Director of the MRC Unit in The Gambia is Professor Tumani Corrah and the Director of
Operations is Mr Peter Noble.
The post-holder will:
(i)
Research:
•
Develop a programme of child survival research within the strategy of the Child
Survival Theme, guided by the Theme Leader.
•
Actively contribute to the wider work of the Child Survival Theme.
•
Exploit the opportunities for collaborative research within the Unit and through
collaborations with external institutions. The Unit has strong collaborative links with
Imperial College London, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and other UK
and international organisations, including African institutions.
•
Develop independent grant proposals within the Child Survival Theme.
•
Contribute to the training and supervision of research students.
•
Promote adherence to good research practice guidelines.
•
Contribute to scientific publications in peer reviewed journals, including being first
author.
•
Disseminate the findings of their research locally and internationally, and work to
promote the public understanding of research.
•
Take part in the clinical activities of the Unit which will include providing on-call cover
for the Clinical Services Department on a rota basis.
(ii)
•
Management:
Undertake line management responsibilities for appropriate staff involved in relevant
Child Survival Theme projects.
•
Undertake all work following the relevant safety rules and regulations as laid down in
the MRC Safety Manual.
•
Perform any other duties consistent with the remit and level of the post.
(iii)
•
Teaching:
Participate in distance learning programme of LSHTM, including the supervision of
MSc and doctoral students
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential characteristics
Applicants must have:
1. A medical qualification (i.e. hold an MBBS/MD).
2. A PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
3. A good record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
4. A track record of attracting research funding.
5. Experience of staff management.
6. Excellent written and spoken English.
7. Child health knowledge and experience.
8. A commitment to working in a multidisciplinary team.
9. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
10. A flexible and well-organised approach to work and an ability to meet deadlines.
11. Attentiveness to detail and excellent organisational skills.
12. A commitment to furthering the wellbeing of children worldwide.
Desirable characteristics
Applicants may have:
1. A post graduate qualification in Epidemiology or Public Health.
2. Practical experience of health research in developing countries.
3. Previous experience of living and working in Africa.
4. Clinical paediatric training and experience (e.g. specialist paediatrician qualification
(FRCPCH, FRACP, FWACP, ABP certification, FCPaed(SA) or equivalent).
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SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
The appointment will be for three years in the first instance, extendable by mutual
agreement, and will be made on LSHTM’s Clinical Lecturer/Senior Clinical Lecturer scale of
£39,721 to £72,536 per annum. The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of
service. Membership of the USS pension scheme is available.
APPLICATIONS
Applications should be made on line via our website at jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference for
this post is TEG15-MRC. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until
10pm of the closing date, which is 8 May 2013. Any queries regarding the application process
should be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk. Applicants are invited to contact Professor Peter
Smith peter.smith@lshtm.ac.uk for academic queries or Dr Stephen Howie showie@mrc.gm
for queries regarding the work in The Gambia.
The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience and
training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs
addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection
process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not
be considered. An answer to any of the criteria such as "Please see attached CV" will not be
considered acceptable. Your CV should also be attached to the online application.
It is hoped to hold the interviews the week commencing 13 May 2013. Please note that if you
are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date it may not be possible to offer
you an alternative date.
Short-listed applicants will be encouraged to visit The Gambia in advance of interview in
London.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal
opportunities employer