The Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) based at the National Institute for Medical Research campus in Mwanza, Tanzania is a collaborative research unit of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the National Institute for Medical Research. MITU’s mission is to contribute to improving health through the development and evaluation of interventions against HIV and other health problems by conducting research, including clinical trials, to the highest international standards; to enhance the capacity to carry out such research in Tanzania and the East African region; and to contribute to the translation of research findings into health policy. MITU is currently collaborating with other international research partners to implement a clinical trial that is evaluating the immunogenicity of a single-dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine compared the standard two dose regimen in girls. The study is starting long-term follow-up of these study participants. The Unit is now inviting applications from highly motivated and suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position:

Research Fellow

The successful applicant should have a post graduate qualification in public health or epidemiology or in a field related to health research and a PhD in a related field; at least five years managing health research projects and at least two years as a clinical trial manager for trials of infectious disease interventions and/or vaccines; and should have other essential qualifications as summarised below.

The post holder will be overseeing the DoRIS trial, the first randomised trial of single-dose HPV vaccine in the target age group for vaccination (girls aged 9-14 years) that will help inform policy changes on HPV vaccination. The study is evaluating vaccine immune responses after 1, 2 or 3 doses of two different HPV vaccines. The trial has enrolled 930 girls and has completed vaccinations. The 5-year follow-up visit is currently underway. Girls will be followed for 9 years.

Specific Responsibilities

• Plan, manage and supervise the day-to-day management and study visits for the DoRIS trial.
• Prepare and submit trial documents to ethics and regulatory committees as required, including protocol amendments and six-monthly reports.
• Supervise responses to data queries, review case report forms and other relevant study documentation, and maintain Study Master Files.
• Participate in communication between MITU/NIMR, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine(the trial sponsor)and the othertrial partners.
• Lead and supervise the trial team to ensure that the trial is conducted to GCP and international trial standards.
• Organise and participate in meetings regarding research progress, results and any other aspects of the study.
• Organise procurements and orders for the trial and handle petty cash expenses for trial activities.
• Assist in managing the project budget and other project resources, liaise with administration staff in reviewing budgets, monitor expenditures and checkfinancial reports.
• Coordinate trial monitoring visits, including preparation of responses to monitoring reports.
• Assist in drafting reports, publications and presentations of study results at national and international meetings and for trial governance bodies (eg,. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board)* Provide weekly reports to the line manager and Principal Investigators on the trial progress.
• Travel to field sites as required to ensure the smooth running of trial activities.
• Promote MITU and its core values, and play a supportive role in the delivery of its day-to-day operations and strategic goals
• Undertake other duties, including support to other studies, as may be required by the trial Principal Investigators.

Essential Qualifications

• Post-graduate qualification in public health, epidemiology or a related health research field.
• At least two year’s relevant experience managing and coordinating GCP compliant clinical trials, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa.
• At least five years practical experience in the management of research teams.
• Experience in organising study monitoring visits.
• Experience in maintaining Study Master Files and other relevant study documents.
• Experience of preparing trial protocol amendments and submitting trial-related documents, including study reports, to ethics boards and/or regulatory authorities.
• Commitment to working as a member of a multidisciplinary and multicultural scientific team.
• Excellent inter-personal skills and a willingness to work with others to overcome problems as and when they arise.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Able to re-locate to Mwanza for this position.
• Willingness to work in urban and rural areas and to travel outside Mwanza when necessary for trial purposes.

Desirable Qualifications

• Prior work experience on vaccine-related research studies.
• Prior work experience in East Africa.
• Communication skills in Swahili.
• Experience in drafting manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience managing funds from international donor organisations.

Interested applicants should submit a letter of application together with their CV and copies of all relevant certificates, memberships and qualifications to recruitment@mitu.or.tz

The applicants should state Research Fellow in the subject line of the email.

Paper applications will not be accepted.

Interviews will be held at the earliest available opportunity and only shortlisted candidates will be notified by email if selected for interview.

If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please consider yourself unsuccessful. MITU is an equal opportunity organization, female applicants and people with disability are highly encouraged to apply.