RESEARCH FELLOW/LECTURER IN IMMUNOLOGY:
TANZANIA
EBOLA PHASE 1 VACCINE TRIAL
FURTHER PARTICULARS
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is a world-leading centre for research and
postgraduate education in public and global health. Our mission is 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.
Founded in 1899 by Sir Patrick Manson, the School has expanded in recent years at its two main sites
on Keppel Street and Tavistock Place. The School’s multidisciplinary expertise includes clinicians,
epidemiologists, statisticians, social scientists, molecular biologists and immunologists, and we work
with partners worldwide to support the development of teaching and research capacity.
Research income has grown to over £85 million per year from national and international funding
sources including the UK government, the European Commission, the Wellcome Trust and
philanthropic sources.
Education programmes have grown to more than 1,000 London-based Master’s and Research
students, 2,900 studying Master’s by distance learning and 1,000 on short courses and continuous
professional development. We have also launched a series of free online courses, and more than
15,000 people registered on the first of these, Ebola in context. Our staff, students and alumni work
in more than 150 countries in government, academia, international agencies and health services.
The School is highly ranked in various university league tables. It was named the world’s leading
research-focused graduate school in the Times Higher Education World Rankings in 2013. In 2014, it
was ranked in the top 10 universities in the world for citation rate by the new EU-supported UMultirank database, fourth in the world for impact in medical sciences by the Leiden Ranking and
third in the world for social science and public health in the US News Best Global Universities
Ranking. According to the results of the UK government’s Research Excellence Framework, published
in December 2014, the School was ranked second overall (after the Institute for Cancer Research) on
the key measure of impact.
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases
The Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases encompasses all of the laboratory-based research in
the School as well as that on the clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious and tropical
diseases. It is headed by Brendan Wren, who is Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis. The range of
disciplines represented in the faculty is very broad and inter-disciplinary research is a feature of
much of our activity. The spectrum of diseases studied is wide and there are major research groups
with a focus on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, vaccine
development and evaluation, and vector biology and disease control. The Faculty is organised into
four large research departments comprising: Pathogen Molecular Biology, Immunology and
Infection, Disease Control, and Clinical Research. There is close interaction between scientists in
different research teams. The Faculty has strong overseas links, which provide a basis for field
studies and international collaborations in developed and developing countries. The teaching
programme includes MSc courses, taught in-house and by distance learning, which are modular in
structure, a variety of short-courses and an active doctoral programme (PhD and DrPH). For further
information on the Faculty see: http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/itd/index.html.
Department of Clinical Research (Head: Professor Philippe Mayaud)
The Department of Clinical Research addresses infectious diseases of major public health importance
in developing countries. Activities include trials of new therapies, vaccines and educational
interventions; the development of new diagnostic tests; studies to elucidate the immunological and
molecular correlates of pathogenesis and protective immunity, and to identify genetic
polymorphisms conferring protection or susceptibility to infectious diseases; health services
research which aims to identify the most efficient and cost-effective way to deliver health care; and
health policy analysis. In addition to our many overseas collaborations, we have close links with the
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, in purpose-built accommodation on the main UCL Hospital campus,
five minutes walk from the School. The Wellcome Trust Bloomsbury Centre for Global Health
Research is based in the Department, and supports Clinical Fellows at all levels, most of whom are
based overseas.
The Department’s main research interests include HIV and related infections; in particular, the
interaction between HIV infection and tuberculosis, and other sexually transmitted diseases;
malaria; trachoma; leprosy; diagnostic tests for resource limited settings; eye health; disability; and
travel medicine.
Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza, Tanzania
There is a long-standing collaboration in Mwanza, Tanzania involving LSHTM and the Tanzanian National
Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) focusing on the epidemiology and control of HIV and other STIs.
Building on this collaboration and supported by UK Medical Research Council (MRC) funding, LSHTM and
NIMR have established the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) on the campus of NIMR Mwanza
Centre. The Unit is led by Dr Saidi Kapiga, the Scientific Director, with support from the Deputy Scientific
Director, Dr George PrayGod, and Mr Dominic Mikulski, the Associate Director of Finance and
Administration in MITU. MITU is a centre of excellence in clinical trials of HIV and related infections, and is
equipped to carry out trials to the highest international standards. The post-holder will work in the NIMR
laboratories and the new Parthenon Laboratories on the NIMR campus in Mwanza. These labs were
purpose built to perform molecular diagnostic assays based on nucleic amplification techniques, and have a
fully functioning PCR suite and capacity to process and store samples for PBMC analyses. State of the art
equipment has been installed to perform haematological assays and CD4 counts and HIV plasma viral load.
For further information relating to MITU please see the website below
http://www.mitu.or.tz/
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Research Fellow/Lecturer (Immunologist) for Phase I Ebola Vaccine Trial in
Tanzania
Responsible to:
Dr Deborah Watson-Jones and Dr George Praygod
Grade:
Grade 6 Research Fellow / Grade 7 Lecturer (based in Tanzania)
This post provides an opportunity to be involved in the first in-human studies in sub-Saharan Africa
of a prime boost vaccine for prevention of Ebola virus infection. These phase I safety trials will be
located in 2-3 sites in East Africa. This project is a collaboration between LSHTM, Janssen Crucell,
University of Oxford, INSERM and collaborating research partners in Africa, including MITU in
Tanzania, the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/UVRI) in Uganda and
the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI) in Kenya. The post-holder will be based in Tanzania and, in
addition to supporting the laboratory work of the trial will be required to provide: supervision and
guidance to the NIMR laboratory staff participating in the trial; development of Standard Operating
Procedures related to the laboratory work; liaison with other phase I study sites and collaborators in
Africa and Europe; coordination of shipping of samples in collaboration with Janssen Crucell;
contributing to the academic life at MITU and support of the NIMR laboratory; support with
teaching/lecturing at LSHTM and helping to prepare scientific reports and presentations.
Key Responsibilities for Post Holder
1. Day-to-day supervision and technical support for the immunology activities for the Phase I
prime boost Ebola Vaccine Trial in the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU), Tanzania,
with particular responsibility for oversight of prompt processing and storage of samples for
PMBC analysis from the research clinic in Mwanza city, northern Tanzania.
2. Day-to-day supervision of safety testing required for the Phase I trial including haematology
testing, pregnancy testing and other assays being conducted in the laboratories of the
National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Mwanza Centre and liaison and support to
Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in Mwanza for biochemistry testing, ensuring that these
tests are performed according to the trial schedule and results fed back to the trial sponsor
and clinical team in a timely fashion.
3. Liaising with the other collaborating Janssen laboratories, ensuring that samples are sent to
these laboratories according to schedule and protocol shipping requirements.
4. Acting as the phase I Tanzania site laboratory contact person for communication between
LSHTM, MITU/NIMR and the other partners involved in the Ebola Vaccine Phase I trial, such
as Janssen Crucell, Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in Mwanza, INSERM, the Tanzanian
Ministry of Health, MRC/UVRI (Entebbe) and KAVI (Nairobi).
5. Assist with the development of Standard Operating Procedures for laboratory activities
related to the Ebola Vaccine Phase I trial.
6. Assist with the drafting, editing and reviewing laboratory reports and ensuring that these are
submitted to the trial partners as required. This will include, but not be limited to,
preparation of a weekly written report of study progress to be shared with the Ebola Vaccine
Phase I trial colleagues in LSHTM, MITU/NIMR and Janssen Crucell and the other research
partners in East Africa.
7. Assisting in recruiting, training and supervising laboratory staff for the Ebola Vaccine Phase I
trial in MITU/NIMR and ensuring that the trial is conducted to GCP and international trial
standards.
8. Organising and participating in laboratory meetings and relevant discussions with
MITU/NIMR, LSHTM, Janssen and other stakeholders to discuss research progress, findings
and any other aspects of the study, in close collaboration with MITU/NIMR staff.
9. Assisting with data queries related to laboratory results for the Ebola Vaccine Phase I trial.
10. Participating in the writing up of the Ebola Vaccine Phase I trial findings in reports and
publications, and contributing to other relevant journal publications.
11. Assisting with preparation of the laboratory sections of reports for the funding agency,
Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI2), and the ethics committees and the Ebola Vaccine
Phase I trial governance bodies (e.g. Clinical Steering Committee, Steering Committee, Data
and Safety Monitoring Board) if introduced.
12. Assisting with laboratory orders and oversight of stock levels.
13. Travel to Ebola Vaccine Phase I progress and coordination meetings as required, including
meetings in East Africa or Europe.
14. Contributing to MITU’s academic life and the School’s postgraduate teaching programme
(normally up to 10% of time per annum).
15. Undertaking other duties as may be required by the Ebola Vaccine Phase I trial Principal
Investigator, and the MITU Director.
Additional key responsibilities for Lecturer position
1. In addition to the routine supervision of the immunology activities for the Phase I prime
boost Ebola Vaccine Trial, provide high level technical advice, support and capacity building
to laboratory staff in MITU/NIMR and BMC as appropriate.
2. Lead the development of Standard Operating Procedures for laboratory activities related to
the Ebola Vaccine Phase I trial.
3. Lead the drafting, editing and reviewing of laboratory reports.
4. Lead the preparation of the laboratory sections of reports for the funding agency, Innovative
Medicine Initiative (IMI2), and the ethics committees and the Ebola Vaccine Phase I trial
governance bodies.
5. Contribute to MITU’s academic life and the School’s postgraduate teaching programme
(normally up to 15% of time for lecturers).
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential

An MSc in a related field.

At least three years relevant practical laboratory experience including experience with cell
isolation and cold chain storage and one year’s experience with other laboratory assays such as
haematology or biochemistry assays.

Experience of laboratory management.

Experience in conducting laboratory work for a clinical trial.

Ability to start work for LSHTM as soon as possible and no later than the middle of June 2015,
and to relocate to Tanzania soon after that.

Evidence of having worked effectively both independently and as a member of a
multidisciplinary scientific team.

Excellent inter-personal skills and a willingness to work with others to overcome problems as
and when they arise.

Experience in the use of essential trials related documentation such as Standard Operating
Procedures.

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Willingness to travel elsewhere (e.g. to other trial sites in Uganda and Kenya and for trial
meetings and conferences) for trips usually lasting 2-7 days.

Willingness to work between the main MITU office and other institutions working with the
research project (e.g. BMC in Mwanza).
Desirable

Experience of working overseas.

Skills in data analysis.

Experience of making scientific presentations at national and international conferences and
workshops, either orally or as posters.

A PhD or equivalent experience demonstrated through publications. [Essential criterion for
Lecturer post]

Teaching experience at university level. [Essential criterion for Lecturer post]

Experience in writing or contributing to successful grant applications.

A good publication record commensurate with previous research experience. [Essential
criterion for Lecturer post]
SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
The post holder will be based in MITU in Tanzania and will report to the Trial PI and the MITU
Scientific Director. The post is available from 1 June 2015 and the contract duration will be for 12
months. The appointment will be made on LSHTM’s Academic Pathway scale with a starting salary at
Grade 6 (£37,106 – £42,139 per annum) or Grade 7 (£43,312 - £49,582 per annum) depending on
the qualifications, past experience and publication record of the role holder. Annual leave
entitlement is 30 working days per year for all staff (pro-rata for part-time staff). In addition to this
there are 6 fixed-date "Director's Days".
APPLICATIONS
Applications should be made on-line via our website at jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference for this post
is DWJ2A. Applications should also include the names and email contacts of 2 referees who can be
contacted immediately if shortlisted. The closing date for receipt of applications is 10pm on 6 May
2015. Any queries regarding the post may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk or deborah.watsonjones@lshtm.ac.uk.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being
an equal opportunities employer