Post-Graduate Research Fellow (3 Year Contract)

Main Purpose Of The Job

• Under direct supervision of the study principal investigator(s), to lead the study site teams, manage day-to-day activities of the study, and provide clinical guidance in the management of patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis participating in the AMBI-ONE study according to the study protocol
• The applicant will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic, international, and supportive research environment (within the NIHR-funded Global Health Research Group on HIV-Associated Fungal Infections [IMPRINT]) and to shape the conduct of the multi-center AMBI-ONE research study led by Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF)
• The successful candidate will be integrated into the medical and multidisciplinary team working on HIV/TB in MSF
• The successful applicant will be expected to register for a PhD Degree at the University of the Witwatersrand prior to being appointed as a research fellow

Location:

• Based in Cape Town (Southern Africa Medical Unit, Mdecins Sans Frontires office)
• Registered for a PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg

Key Performance Areas

Research study management

• Contribute to the development of study documentation including the protocol, patient information sheets, consent forms, CRFs and data capture tools, standard operating procedures, working practice documents, quality assurance and quality control guidelines, and training materials
• Regularly visit the recruiting sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Guinea to prepare for the start of the study, conduct site initiation visits, and monitor progress
• Oversee recruitment of eligible patients according to protocol and ethical requirements
• Conduct a qualitative-methods research sub-study nested within AMBI-ONE
• Maintain close contact with the AMBI-ONE study management group and consult with them on strategic issues that might have any safety or major financial implications for the project. This will include, but not be limited to, the collation of weekly reports of study progress to be shared with the study management group and funders
• Conduct the research study in accordance with GCP regulations and standard operating procedures
• Proactively resolve protocol queries and missing data with the study management group
• Contribute to the analysis, write-up, and dissemination of study findings

Patient care and screening

• Rather than providing direct care to patients, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that the study sites provide clinical care in accordance with the protocol, their local Hospital and Sponsor's policies, research governance, and the International Conference of Harmonisation of Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) regulations
• Contribute to the clinical support of the study participants in collaboration with the on-site clinical teams and the advisory support teams in MSF

Quality Assurance

• Monitor and evaluate the quality of care at the study sites and assess findings with the team
• Perform monitoring visits and quality control checks of clinical source notes and CRFs
• Monitor the Study Recruitment/Retention Plan including planning meetings to address challenges of study enrolment, conduct, and participant retention
• Conduct regular site meetings to identify, discuss and solve study queries
• Meet with external Monitors as and when required

Staff Management

• Play a supervisory role for the study clinical and nursing teams to ensure that teams adhere to the set standard operating procedures in the conduct of the study and that all staff are fully trained in the SOPs pertaining to their daily work; data collection process is enhanced for quality and with quality control measures in place; recruitment/accrual targets are being met; proper source documentation procedures are followed
• Foster positive working relationships with the wide research team

Required Minimum Education And Training

• Medical Degree (MBChB, MBBS, MD or equivalent)
• Specialist training in internal medicine (MMed, FCP, MRCP, or equivalent) would be an advantage
• Certification in Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Registration with the HPCSA as an independent medical practitioner is not essential

Required Minimum Work Experience

• Minimum 4 years of clinical work experience, preferably in an inpatient environment managing people living with HIV and other infectious diseases

Academic Expectations

• Enrol for a full-time PhD at the University of Witwatersrand with regular travel to Johannesburg
• Completion of a PhD thesis based on the AMBI-ONE research project and related sub-studies, in accordance with institutional PhD regulations
• Preparation of scientific reports, conference presentations, and publications
• Contribution to the Institutional teaching program as appropriate to the level of experience

Essential Additional Education, Work Experience, And Personal Abilities

• Comfortable and able to travel to study sites in Guinea, DRC, and Mozambique
• Spoken and written proficiency in English and French; proficiency in Portuguese would be an added advantage
• Experience in the conduct of clinical research and implementation studies
• An ordered and systematic approach to tasks with strict adherence to protocols
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills
• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from different cultural backgrounds
• Excellent communication skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent decision-making
• Ability to prioritize own workload, take initiative, and work to tight deadlines
• Commitment to an academic career in a relevant clinical specialty
• Project management qualification would be an added advantage
• Experience managing multi-country studies
• Scientific writing skills
• Statistical analysis using Stata, SPSS, or R
• Previous experience in the development of study data capture tools

To Apply

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
• Please Apply Online.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 17 March 2023.
• Note AJ Personnel is fully POPI compliant.
• Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.

Please Note

• AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.

Desired Skills

• Communication
• Computer Skills
• Computing
• Healthcare
• Medical

About The Employer

BackgroundWits Health Consortium (Pty) Limited ("WHC") is a wholly-owned Company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa) under its Faculty of Health Sciences. WHC provides Faculty with a legal framework within which to operate the research and other activities necessary to support its academic objectives.