Scientific fellow neglected tropical diseases

Scientific fellow Neglected Tropical Diseases

Department of Clinical Sciences – Unit of Neglected Tropical Diseases

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp aims at the advancement and spread of science that contributes to infectious disease medicine and to public health globally with focus on low- and middle income countries, inclusive of their global dimensions. The ITM provides fundamental, translational and applied scientific research, delivers advanced education and provides medical, scientific and societal expert services. The ITM is an open and international campus where staff, students and researchers work on new international health challenges.
ITM’s Department of Clinical Sciences strives for optimal diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tropical and globalized infectious diseases. The department has long-standing well-recognised expertise in working with both tropical in lower-resourced settings and in the conduct of clinical trials of treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics, supported by the ITM Clinical Trials Unit.

The main current projects of the Unit of Neglected Tropical Diseases relate to visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis and the interaction with HIV, with interventional and observational clinical research ongoing in Ethiopia. Another key component is a capacity building project with the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. It is planned to extend the unit´s scope into cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ethiopia, and potentially into other neglected diseases in other countries. The unit is also involved in an international clinical research network for epidemic response in Sub-Saharan Africa (ALERRT, https://www.alerrt.global/). Projects are currently ongoing on COVID-19.

As the professor of this unit was recently appointed as head of department for a mandate of five years, we are looking for a scientific coordinator to support him and the unit in their academic activities and to ensure output during the time of his mandate.

Assignment

• You will contribute to the core tasks of the unit within ITM: research, capacity building, education and training, reporting to prof. Johan Van Griensven, unit head.
• You will coordinate a range of scientific activities in the unit, predominantly ongoing clinical research projects in Ethiopia, in close collaboration with other ITM staff and international partners.
• You will coordinate the implementation of capacity building projects in Ethiopia, and will be responsible for the day to day management.
• You will develop new ideas and projects (in collaboration with the partners in the South).
• You will write scientific reports and protocols.
• You will mentor and support overseas students (visiting or remote) in the unit.
• You will develop and contribute to grant applications for new research projects.
• You will assist the unit head with the organisational aspects of the unit.
• You will regularly visit the study sites abroad lasting for one to two weeks, but occasionally up to four weeks.

Profile

• You hold a Master in Medicine, Biomedical Sciences or Epidemiology. Being a medical doctor and/or having a PhD are assets.
• You did additional training(s), preferably at Master’s degree level, in infectious diseases, epidemiology, public health, clinical trials, statistics or other relevant areas.
• Additional trainings on Good Clinical Practice and statistics are assets.
• You have overseas experience or experience with coordinating projects in resource limited settings.
• You have research experience in patient-centered clinical research for at least three years, preferably in low or middle income countries, that includes developing research protocols, submitting research grants, research implementation, data analysis, and the publication process.
• You have published your research findings on relevant topics in international journals and conferences.
• You are able to interactively teach international students.
• You have an excellent knowledge of English and preferably good knowledge of French. Additional knowledge of Dutch is an asset.
• You are willing to conduct short overseas assignments, sometimes on short notice.
• You are a team player and have good communication skills.

Offer

The ITM is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to the socially relevant mission of the ITM. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients. We offer you:

• A full-time permanent contract. Starting date as soon as possible.
• A salary set according to the pay scales of ITM and the Flemish universities and to your work experience with some supplementary benefits, such as private pension scheme and meal voucher subscription.
• A collegial research environment with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development.
• A workplace in the middle of the vibrant city of Antwerp, easily accessible by public transport.
• An immigration and relocation assistance package.