Study Coordinator
Vacancy No. FN-02-02-2024
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop an in-depth understanding of the study protocols, goals and logistics required to conduct research studies and implementation projects
- Develop clinical trial implementation plans in collaboration with investigators and relevant stakeholders
- Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that align with the study protocols
- Conduct training for research teams to always guarantee adherence to study SOPs at all times.
- Provide leadership in research studies through coordination and daily oversight of day-to-day implementation of study activities
- Coordinate the study team to ensure proper performance of study and project activities consistent with study protocols and SOPs
- Lead study recruitment with the support of study investigators and research team, including evaluating potential participants for inclusion in clinical trials in compliance to the study protocol
- Perform study visits and clinical assessments of study participants, document study procedures, and interpret laboratory results in collaboration with study PIs.
- Ensure proper documentation of all research participants in physical and electronic medical records
- Ensure participant safety through monitoring of clinical and laboratory adverse events
- Ensure timely reporting of adverse events and protocol deviations.
- Ensure participant privacy and confidentiality are maintained
- Compiling weekly clinical and study data and study reports in coordination with data manager
- Oversee and monitor study budget expenditure, including study resource utilization, cash flow and expenditures
- Maintain relationships with collaborating partners and the County Ministry of Health
- Coordinate communication with research staff and PI/Co-PIs/Co-Investigators
- Maintain regular communication with members of the research team
- Ensure regular and timely updates of clinical trial recruitment, follow-up, and data collection progress
- Work professionally and ethically with competence, accountability, and integrity
- Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the study PIs
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
- Be duly registered with the relevant professional body, holding valid practice license
Other Desirable Qualifications:
- Knowledge in Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention Clinical or research programs
- Attention to detail, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Good communication skills
- Experience working in HIV care, either in a Clinical or Research setting
Data Analyst
Vacancy No. FN-03-02-2024
Duties and Responsibilities
- Support in planning data collection methods and developing experimental designs and analytical methods
- Collaborate with study investigators on sample size calculations and study sampling
- Design and implement data collection tools for specific projects
- Create and manage research data collection tools and databases using REDCap and ODK, among other tools.
- Train and manage data collection teams to ensure quality data collection.
- Conduct weekly data cleaning and reporting, manage data integrity issues
- Develop, maintain, and present Key Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboards to study personnel
- Communicate with trial investigators about data quality and resolve issues per study protocol.
- Assist in preparing trial documents, reports, and responses to regulatory inquiries
- With support of trial investigators, assist in clinical trial monitoring, including safety reporting
- Utilize statistical software and techniques for data gathering, analysis, and interpretation
- Analyze data and present statistical results through graphs, charts, and tables
- Discuss and interpret trial/study results with colleagues and collaborators
- Ensure project deadlines and milestones related to data and analyses are met
- Provide mentorship to junior investigators and support to the research team with other tasks as needed
- Carry out additional duties as directed by the Research Manager/Coordinator and supervisors
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Biostatistics or related field
- At least 2-years’ experience as a Data Analyst or a similar position
- Experience with a range of data analysis tools
- Excellent skills using REDCap and ODK
- Advanced Excel skills, Pivot Tables and Macros preferred
- Ability to work as part of a team and handle multiple projects
Desirable Qualifications:
- Prior research experience, preferably in the health sciences
- Great attention to detail and excellent analytical skills
- Excellent organizational and communication skills, attention to detail
- Familiarity with statistical packages (including Stata, R, SPSS or SAS)
- Critical thinking skills, highly motivated
- Demonstrated experience in writing as evidenced by publications or project reports
Research Assistant
Vacancy No. FN-04-02-2024
Duties and Responsibilities
- Engage and educate healthcare workers and the community on cervical cancer screening and prevention through facility mobilization, client health talks, and regular stakeholder communication.
- Conduct research study activities, including the recruitment, screening, enrollment, and consenting of research participants according to the study protocol and standard operating procedures.
- Collect, enter, and manage non-clinical research data in the REDCap study database.
- Perform high-quality study participant retention using varied mechanisms, identify threats to participant retention, and actively work to address them in collaboration with the research team.
- Conduct participant tracing through phone call reminders, short message service (SMS), and home tracking using locator information.
- Conduct in-depth interviews and focus-group discussions and perform high-quality transcription and translations of recorded interviews.
- Translate research documents, including informed consent forms
- Adhere to the principles of ethical research according to human subject review protocols
Qualifications:
- Diploma in Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Community Health, Sociology or Social Work with two years’ experience
Prior Work Experience:
- At least two years’ relevant experience in research or clinical setting, preferably with significant counseling and social science department role
- Prior training or experience in sexual and reproductive health issues, including family planning and cervical cancer prevention is preferred
- Experience in conducting surveys, in-depth interviews, or focus groups is preferred
- Experience with tablet-based data collection, including using REDCap
- Experience with qualitative research data analysis an added advantage
Other Desirable Qualifications:
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Problem-solving skills and ability to work with others to address challenges
- Social skills, including the ability to form a rapport with clients and other team members
- Ability to follow up on tasks and follow through on deadlines, with attention to detail
- Able to work well under minimal supervision
- Good interpersonal and organizational skills, including the ability to maintain frequent contact using
- phone calls, WhatsApp/SMS, email, and Zoom
Laboratory Technician
Ref. KEMRI-THGP 01
Reporting to: Principal Investigators
Job Description:
The Laboratory Technician will provide assistance to the overall project and will work with the existing THGP team. The candidate will be in charge of processing bio specimens during field clinics using established protocols. Specifically, the candidate will work to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells from whole blood, manage and organize samples, and run point of care devices to collect health measurements from blood. When not in the field, the candidate will assist with sample and data management as well as DNA extractions or other desired sample processing.
Essential Requirements:
- Minimum Diploma in any of the following fields: Biomedical Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Applied Sciences or any other equivalent qualification from a recognized institution
- Registration Certificate issued by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) where applicable, or any other recognized regulatory body will be an advantage but not mandatory
- Valid practicing license from Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists where applicable, but not mandatory
- Experience in basic molecular biology and aseptic techniques
- Experience working in a molecular biology or genetics research
- Good English and Swahili, both spoken and written (Turkana language skills are an added benefit, but not required)
- Experience with DNA and RNA extractions is desired
- Must be computer literate
- Must be a team player
- Must be comfortable in remote field work conditions
Specific Tasks and Responsibilities.
- Participate in field work and support field data collection;
- During field work, use established protocols to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells and perform any other biospecimen processing;
- During field work, carefully handle, label, and track biospecimens;
- Assist with supply and sample management;
- Assist with equipment management including verifying equipment function;
- Assist with sample and data management, for example organizing samples in freezers;
- Assist with DNA/RNA extractions and other sample processing as directed;
- Perform any other duties assigned or delegated by the project leadership.
Field Assistant
Ref. KEMRI-THGP 02
Reporting to: Principal Investigators
Job Description:
The Field Assistant will provide assistance to the overall project and will work with the existing THGP team. The candidate will be in charge of explaining the study to potential participants, obtaining informed consent, and then conducting a survey/interview with children and their guardians about lifestyle, environment, and experiences. When not in the field, the candidate will assist with data entry, data management, and any other tasks to support the overall project.
Essential Requirements:
- Minimum of a Certificate in Community Health Work, Social Sciences or any Biomedical Sciences
- Basic understanding of biology and genetics
- Fieldwork experience working in a busy research project
- Must be computer literate
- Must be a team player
- Must be comfortable in remote field work conditions
Specific Tasks and Responsibilities.
- The position responsibilities shall specifically include but not be limited to the following:
- Participate in field work and support field data collection;
- Explain research study to participants and obtain informed consent;
- Perform detailed questionnaire about lifestyle and experiences;
- Perform basic anthropometric measurements, for example waist and height measurements;
- Properly store and track data sheets and consent forms, including scanning and organizing digital copies;
- Be ready to help with other tasks as requested such as charging batteries or maintaining generators and other equipment;
- Perform any other duties assigned or delegated by the project leadership.
Terms of Employment
- Employment is on contract basis for a period of 1 year renewable subject to availability of funds. There will be a probation period for the first 3 months. Salary is commensurate with KEMRI’s appropriate grade depending on education, experience and demonstrated competency.
