We are seeking to appoint a full-time Lab team lead to be based in Addis Ababa, with frequent travel to the field site located close to Debre Birhan and Shewa Robit towns and field facilities. The Lab lead will set-up and lead the HaSET Maternal and Child Health Research Program Laboratory system that would deliver reliable scientific output in the BIRHAN field site. HaSET is a collaboration between St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and Harvard University. The post holder will be an integral part of the HaSET team and lead the laboratory activities for HaSET, he/she will be responsible for oversighting, quality assurance, managing and tracking laboratory related program activities.
St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Medical School opened in 2007; it is intended to alleviate the severe shortage of medical doctors in the country. In line with various encouraging efforts performed by the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health in this regard, it is clear that the newly opened school, with a practical modular and integrated curriculum will be providing much-needed medical professionals to the people of Ethiopia.
Harvard University, USA
Harvard University traces its roots to public health activism. The faculty commits themselves to research as well as teaching. The University produces knowledge through research, reproduces knowledge through higher education, and translates knowledge into evidence that can be communicated to the public, policymakers, and practitioners to advance the health of populations.
HaSET Maternal and Child Health Research Program
The HaSET (“happiness” in Amharic) Global Maternal and Child Health Research Program generates evidence to improve maternal and child health programs and policies. Within the HaSET research program are several nested sub-studies, including the Antenatal Care/Postnatal Care Research Collective (ARC) and the BIRHAN Maternal and Child Morbidity and Mortality Surveillance program, aimed at understanding the causes of maternal and child morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. Research takes place at the BIRHAN field site in North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. The BIRHAN and ARC studies are a joint partnership between St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College in Ethiopia and Harvard University.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The post-holder will work full-time in Addis Ababa. The position requires regular interaction with the investigators, data managers and analysts, software developers, research manager, clinical research coordinator, catchment facilities and reference laboratories. The post-holder will be responsible for developing and maintaining HaSET’s lab system including sample collection, transportation, laboratory logistics, investigation and result sharing system in collaboration with the field team and other HaSET staff members. The post-holder will also closely collaborate with and mentor Debre Birhan Hospital and other research site facility laboratory staff to build capacity in new diagnostics.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Research Leadership
Laboratory System Management
Scientific, Publication and Grant writing
This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may be altered at any time in the future, as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is full consultation with the post-holder. The post-holder will carry out any other duties, tasks or responsibilities as reasonably requested by PI and investigators.
Duration of contract: 1 year with likely extension
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential requirements