Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, August 18, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Scientist/Senior Scientist (Statistician/Modeller

Position Code: SSSM - 822
Reports to: Head of Programme
Station: Entebbe

Job Purpose:
The position holder is to lead analysis and modelling of NIHR Global Health Research Group on Vaccines for vulnerable people in Africa (VAnguard). Vaccines are extremely effective public health interventions, but not everyone benefits equally. Social, biological, geographical and political circumstances render some communities vulnerable, unable to secure optimal health benefits from vaccination programmes. This both drives health inequity and undermines wider vaccine impact by allowing persistence of nonimmune communities as foci for recurrent disease outbreaks. VAnguard’s goal is to identify modifiable structural, social and biological determinants of impaired vaccine impact in vulnerable African communities, and hence to develop integrated strategies to address them and to drive health equity. VAnguard brings together East African leaders in vaccine research, implementation and community engagement, with UK experts in vaccine biology and the social anthropology of vaccine hesitancy. Our specific objectives, in collaboration with national stakeholders and communities in Uganda and Kenya, are to
• Investigate biological drivers and mechanisms of population differences in vaccine response
• Understand how social and biological determinants of vaccine response interrelate to determine vaccine impact
• Identify and model integrated strategies to inform development of future interventions to optimize vaccine impact among vulnerable populations The statistician/modeller will lead a work package, collaborating with Ugandan, Kenyan and UK colleagues, to develop a comprehensive modelling framework, describing how biological, social and structural factors impact vaccine responses in different communities in Uganda and Kenya. S/he will participate in literature reviews to design and parameterize the model, and in the design and analysis of a further survey, exploring factors identified as relevant. S/he will then work with colleagues and communities to implement the model to identify possible intervention packages to improve vaccine benefits among populations at risk of poor vaccine impact.

Roles & Responsibilities
1. Principal duties;
• Take lead of the VAnguard analysis and modelling work package;
• Oversee literature review and analysis;
• Survey design and analysis;
• Model development and implementation;
• Lead and contribute to writing publications and reports;
• Presenting research findings at meetings; and,
• Working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary and, multi-national team.
2. LSHTM integration;
• Working with the Statistics department at the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM UgandaResearch Unit, and with Professor Emily Webb, the post-holder will haveopportunities to participate in academic opportunities with the LSHTM-basedInternational Statistics and Epidemiology Group, including monthly group meetings.They will also be encouraged to join relevant LSHTM Centers, including the VaccinesCentre.
3. Environment;
• The post-holder will be based at the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit inEntebbe, where the department currently supports 8 statisticians, and works with astrong data department of about 30 staff. S/he will work collaboratively with membersof the group from the Unit, from UVRI itself, from collaborating institutions in Uganda(Makerere, Uganda Christian University), in Kenya (KEMRI Wellcome Trust ResearchProgramme) and from the UK (LSHTM-London, University of Cambridge). Travel toKenya for meetings is expected.

Person Specification
• PhD in medical statistics, epidemiology or mathematical modelling, or related subject;
• MSc with an excellent track record of Statistics/modelling may be considered;
• Should possess a demonstrated aptitude for applied public health research;
• Relevant practical experience working as a statistician/modeler in a research setting;
• Contributions to written output, preferably peer-reviewed, as expected by the subject area in terms of types and volume of outputs;
• Experience of participation in collaborative multi-disciplinary research projects;
• Experience supervising and supporting junior researchers and/or research degreestudents;
• Experience designing epidemiological studies;
• Should be a proficient user of R and experience using R for statistical analyses andmathematical modelling;
• Knowledge of vaccines and immunization;
• Should possess proven ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively as part ofa research team;
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectivelyboth orally and in writing; and,
• Evidence of good organizational skills, including effective time management.


Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Level of Education: Associate Degree

Job application procedure

Follow the link below to fill a form and submit your application documentation: https://redcap.link/Scientist_Senior_Scientist 
Filling the form more than once will lead to automatic disqualification. High level of integrity while filling the form is required and will be considered during shortlisting. Combine all your application documentation i.e. cover letter, CV & certified copies of academic documents into one PDF document. Deadline for application is 25th August 2022, 5:00pm. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. This position is open to Ugandan nationals only. Strictly follow the application procedure as failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification. Only online applications through the link provided will be accepted. You will receive a notification in your email if your application and documentation have been successfully received.
N.B: You will be required to present certified copies of your academic documentation before employment.
The applications should be addressed to:
The Head of Human Resources,
MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit,
P.O. Box, 49,
Entebbe, Uganda.


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