JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
PDRA or RA in Epidemiology of NTDs
Reference:
952
Responsible to:
Director of COUNTDOWN
Contract:
30 months
Summary of role: The post will involve working within the implementation research consortium
entitled COUNTDOWN as funded by DFID, UK (see www.countdownonntds.org) reporting to the
Director. In collaboration with other research theme leads, you will conduct multi-disciplinary
studies on the epidemiology and control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). These will be both
observational- and randomised intervention trials-settings (e.g. expanded treatment regimens)
addressing the dynamics of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. When required, you
will help to oversee and assist in field studies (in Cameroon and Ghana) tracking these
infections and assessing environmental transmission in key locations. At the LSTM, you will
help to analyse epidemiological information by multivariate statistical analyses, contributing to
report writing and peer-review manuscripts. Fieldwork will also include collection of
parasitological and malacological samples for later laboratory analysis with DNA-based
methods e.g. qPCR diagnostics and DNA barcoding.
Key Responsibilities:
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Assist in planning and participation in field studies (in Cameroon/Ghana).
Collection of epidemiological information and biological samples.
Analyse epidemiological data with multivariate statistical analysis.
Characterise parasite (and snail) samples with DNA-assays.
Preparation of reports, publications and presentations.
Supervision and training of related COUNTDOWN staff and students.
Participate and deliver team contributions and help build co-operation with a
flexible approach.
 Participate in networks within the institution and externally.
 Ensure dissemination of information in the right format to the right people at the
right time.
 To be able to make independent decisions on a daily basis and also be party to
some collaborative decisions to reach optimal conclusions.
PERSON SPECIFICATION: PDRA or RA – Ref 875
Criteria
Competency
Essential /
Desirable
E
Assessment
Application
Form,
Assessment and
Interview
Education &
Training
MSc or PhD in epidemiology/parasitology or an
allied health discipline.
Experience
Multivariate statistical expertise in epidemiology.
E
Experience with DNA barcoding/sequencing.
E
Experience of working to targets and deadlines.
E
Publication record in peer review journals.
E
Travel experience, epidemiological surveys in
resource poor settings for NTDs.
D
Field epidemiology with observational and(or)
randomised trial experience.
E
NTD research with helminthological focus
D
Effective communication (both written and verbal)
with an ability to communicate at all levels.
E
Knowledge of research uptake and an associated
portfolio of e-communications.
Expertise in multivariate computational analyses
with various software (e.g. R, STATA etc.).
D
Experience of molecular epidemiology (e.g. qPCR).
E
Ability to write manuscripts for peer review journals.
E
Presentations at international meetings conferences
D
Ability to use initiative and work independently.
E
Willingness to develop further research protocols
for funding.
E
Willingness to help supervise and train PhD and MSc
students.
D
Scientific communication and public engagement
Able to start work from November 2015
D
Knowledge
Skills &
Abilities
Special
Aptitude
Circumstances
E
Application
Form/CV
Application
Form,
Assessment and
Interview
Assessment and
Interview
Assessment and
Interview
Application
Form/Interview