Vacancy:Post Doctoral Demographer- Welcome Trust-Kenya
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Job description
Post Doctoral Demographer
KEMRI-Oxford -Wellcome Trust Programme Kilifi, Kenya.
Research Assistant II
Salary range GBP23256 - GBP30967 with a maximum starting salary of GPB27222
The Wellcome Trust Unit in Kilifi, Kenya, is the site of a programme
of collaborative research with the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
It has an international reputation for research in malaria across a
wide range of disciplines, including clinical studies (pathophysiol-
ogy and clinical trials), epidemiology (basic epidemiology and commu-
nity based interventions) and basic science (immunology and molecular
pathogenesis). More recently the scope of the unit's research pro-
gramme has broadened to include other major infections. The Unit has
a total staff of around 200, with thirty scientific staff on site and
a substantial number of collaborators in Oxford and elsewhere. Expa-
triate scientific staff are drawn from several departments within Ox-
ford University. Logistic and administrative support is provided
through the Oxford Wellcome Centre for Tropical Medicine.
Since 1989 a number of community based studies have been carried out
in rural areas to the north and south of Kilifi, covering a total
population of around 100,000. The areas have been mapped and cen-
sused and thus provide the basis for demographic surveillance. The
level of surveillance and degree of updating of maps and censuses has
in the past depended on the requirements of specific studies. As the
unit has grown we have begun to consolidate different community based
studies into a single structure. For example studies over the next
five years on pneumococcal disease, malaria, RSV and neonatal illness
will be carried out through a single birth cohort. As part of this
consolidation we now need to develop an enhanced capacity for demo-
graphic surveillance. This will provide the platform for a number of
proposed studies and will also provide an excellent opportunity for
the development of new demographic research. Consequently we now need
to appoint a demographer who has considerable post doctoral experi-
ence to provide the unit with the necessary expertise to drive these
projects forward whilst also expanding the research base.
The successful candidate for this post will require:
-A PhD in Demography or an allied discipline.
-An excellent academic record with demonstrated productivity in demog-
raphy or closely allied field.
-Considerable field experience, preferably in a tropical environment
-Leadership skills and the ability to work well in a team.
-The following would be advantageous but is not essential
-Experience of working in a rural African population.
-The specific responsibilities of the post include
Heading a field team of 20 responsible for maintaining and extending
demographic surveillance in a population of around 100,000 in a pre-
dominantly rural area on the coast of Kenya.
Development of an individual research programme within the framework
of the surveillance system.
Liaison with other researchers at the unit, particularly those whose
research is to a large degree community based. The person appointed
will play a co-ordinating role in ensuring the smooth integration of
community based research at the unit.
Training: scientific capacity building within Kenya is a priority of
the unit and the appointee will be expected to make a significant
contribution to training in demography or closely allied disciplines.
This post has been funded by the Wellcome Trust initially for a pe-
riod of one year but with agreement in principle for funding for a
further four years subject to the development of a suitable plan of
work. A one-year contract will be offered in the first instance with
the possibility of extension once an approved plan of work has been
developed.
Working conditions: The position is full time and is based in Kilifi,
Kenya. Salary is paid on the University of Oxford RSII scale. There
are 27 days holidays excluding public holidays. The post currently
attracts an overseas cost of living allowance. Airfares, baggage al-
lowance and accommodation are provided.
Further details can be obtained from:
Prof K Marsh, Director,
Wellcome Trust Research Unit,
Kilifi,
Kenya
Fax: +254-125-22390
E Mail: kmarsh@kilifi.mimcom.net
The deadline for completed application is 26 January 2001.
Applications, in the form of CV with covering letter and including
names and full contact details of two professional referees should be
sent to:
The Personnel Administrator,
Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine,
John Radcliffe Hospital,
Oxford OX3 9DU,
Fax +44-1865 222901,
E Mailto:personnel@ndm.ox.ac.uk quoting reference HB0068/PH.
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