Jobs Vacancies and Employment at Epicentre- Uganda

Job Title: Clinical Research Assistant
Company: Epicentre


Closing date: 31 Dec 2010
Location: Uganda - Mbarara
Epicentre is a non-profit organisation created in 1987 by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which groups health professionals specialised in public health and epidemiology. In 1996, Epicentre became a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Response to Emerging Diseases.
Epicentre carries out operational research studies, mainly within MSF movement from its headquarters in Paris, satellites in Geneva, Brussels and London, and two field research bases in Mbarara-Uganda and Maradi-Niger. Further, Epicentre offers its expertise to organisations requesting short-term field epidemiological studies in developing countries.
Within the scope of clinical research, Epicentre focuses on infectious diseases, particularly malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, African trypanosomiasis, bacterial meningitis, measles, diarrheal diseases, and hemorrhagic fevers.
Context
In 1995, Epicentre created a permanent research base in Uganda to support MSF projects in the region. In 1997, Epicentre conducted its first survey on shigella resistance in Mbarara. The primary role of Epicentre in Mbarara is to conduct clinical research following Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements, on critical public health burdens in Uganda and Africa. To reach this objective, Epicentre collaborates closely with the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). A full-time experienced research team is now based at the Epicentre Mbarara Research Base.
Malaria has been an important area of research for Epicentre in Mbarara. As a consequence of the changes in the epidemiology of malaria recently observed, some modification in the related research activity is likely to occur and a new research plan has to be set up.
The evaluation of new treatment strategy for severe malaria, especially among young children, has been identified as important research question. In collaboration with the MUST, the Mbarara Regional Hospital and the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Epicentre is planning to conduct a phase 2 clinical trial on cerebral malaria in children called “Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) as adjunctive treatment for cerebral malaria in children: a randomized open label phase II clinical trial”.
Function and position
In close collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI) of the study, the Clinical Research Assistant (CRA) is responsible of the monitoring and the good running of the study. He/she ensures the respect of Good Clinical Practices (GCP).
He/she will be under the direct authority and supervision of the director of Epicentre Mbarara Research Base. He/she will report to him.
Activities
1) Implementation of the study

• Contribute to the writing of the standardized operating procedure (SOP)
  
  

• Implement the SOP
  
  

• Ensure that ethical standards are followed
  
  

• Participate to the elaboration and updating of case report forms (CRF)
  
  

• Plan the patients recruitment into the study in collaboration with the various clinical structures involved in the case management of patients eligible for the study
  
  

2) Recruitment, monitoring and reporting

• Ensure that patients are enrolled according to the protocol
  
  

• Ensure that the SOP are followed
  
  

• Monitor the progress of the study
  
  

• Ensure the flow of the CRF to the data entry clerk
  
  

• Check the data in terms of completeness and quality
  
  

• Ensure that the adverse events are reported in due time
  
  

• Maintain record of research activities and events
  
  

• Maintain the patient files and their secured storage
  
  

• Produce regular study reports
  
  

• Organise regular meeting and give update on the study progress
  
  

• Plan, implement and maintain quality control process during the study
  
  

3) Participation to the training of the staff members involved in the study
4) Participation to the general activities of the Epicentre Mbarara Research Base
Candidates requirements

• Bachelor degree is a minimum
  
  

• Experience in clinical trial monitoring
  
  

• Working experience in developing countries
  
  

• Proficient in English
  
  

• Interest for team work and working in a multi-cultural environment
  
  

• A formal training in clinical trial monitoring and/or experience in malaria research and/or experience with a medical NGO will be a plus
  
  

Conditions

• Location : Mbarara, Uganda
  
  

• Duration : 12 months starting January/February 2011
  
  

• Status: Short-term field contract with Epicentre/MSF
  
  

How to apply
Please, send your CV and cover letter by e-mail to nathalie.guerineau@epicentre.msf.org
Deadline of application : 31 December 2010. For additional information,
please contact Pierre de Beaudrap-Mbarara : pierre.debeaudrap@epicentre.msf.org,
Jean-François Etard - Paris : jean-francois.etard@epicentre.msf.org
Reference Code: RW_8C6JWV-4