Malawi University College of Medicine Call for Application for Postdoctoral Research Fellowship- (Entomology) 2020

By | August 20, 2020

POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (Entomology) – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

MALARIA ALERT CENTER (MAC)- COMMUNICABLE DISEASES ACTION CENTER

MAC-Communicable Diseases Action Centre (MAC) is an institution under the College of Medicine that works with Ministry of health, local and international health agencies to address priority health problems such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, neglected tropical diseases and other communicable diseases. Focusing on operational and evidence synthesis research, capacity building and training, health care systems strengthening, disease surveillance, and monitoring and impact evaluation, MAC contributes to evidence based policy formulation and health programs implementation in Malawi and the SADC region.

A post-doctoral research fellowship position is available at MAC to conduct research within the Malawi International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research (ICEMR). The main purpose the postdoctoral research fellowship is to characterize the biting behaviors and insecticide susceptibility of the major Anopheles vector populations within the ICEMR study sites and elucidate how this affects malaria transmission and control in Malawi. Furthermore, the post-doctoral research fellow will be expected to mentor interns/ junior researchers as a means of generating preliminary data to guide further research and coordinate field activities

Post-doctoral research fellowship aims:

The postdoctoral research fellow will, among other things:

  1. Investigate the Anopheles species behaviors that constitute risk factors for malaria infection and pose challenges to malaria control
  2. Characterize the susceptibility of Anopheles vector populations to insecticides used in long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Further, the postdoctoral research fellow will investigate the underlying insecticide resistance mechanisms in order to understand the effectiveness of malaria control interventions
  3. Coordinate field activities to ensure timely and smooth implementation field studies and data collection
  4. Analyze data, share research findings with stakeholders and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals
  5. Train and mentor interns/ junior researchers and lab/ Insectary technicians
  6. In collaboration with mentors, develop new research questions, write project proposals for funding
  7. Interface with project investigators and other stakeholders in malaria control
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Specific Activities

  1. Investigate the Anopheles species behaviors that constitute risk factors to malaria infection and pose challenges to malaria control
    1. Design study activities to answer research questions on Anopheles biting behavior, their susceptibility to insecticides, and force of Plasmodium transmission
    2. Develop data collection tools and work plans, and implement project activities
    3. Collect comprehensive and quality data to answer the project objectives
    4. Clean and analyze research data for reports and dissemination
  2. Characterize the susceptibility of Anopheles vector populations to insecticides used in long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Further, the postdoctoral research fellow will investigate the underlying insecticide resistance mechanisms in order to understand the effectiveness of malaria control interventions
    1. Characterize the phenotypic resistance status in major Anopheles vectors in the study area
    2. Determine the mechanisms of resistance in the major Anopheles vectors in the study area
    3. Develop methods to maximize yield of Anopheles females for susceptibility testing
  3. Coordinate field activities to ensure timely and smooth implementation field studies and data collection
    1. Develop work plans for all the study activities and share with investigators and field teams
    2. Allocate resources both human and material to ensure no disruption of field activities
  4. Analyze data, share research findings with stakeholders, and publish the same in peer-reviewed journals
    1. Analyze field and lab data in order to guide research direction
    2. Present research findings at relevant research dissemination forums (RDC, PAMCA, ASTMH, etc.)
    3. Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals
  5. Train and mentor junior researchers and lab/ Insectary technicians
    1. Train interns/ junior researchers in order to generate preliminary study data that will inform future research direction
    2. Train laboratory technicians in new lab skills and/ or techniques
  6. In collaboration with mentors, develop new project proposals and seek funding
    1. Develop new research questions in order to seek further project funding
  7. Interface with project investigators and other stakeholders
    1. Arrange regular meetings with the Co-PI and/ or Core Leader
    2. Arrange, attend weekly meetings and prepare meeting reports
    3. Present study results to the malaria technical groups
    4. Share study results with national stakeholder (NMCP and PMI)
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Desired Skills and Experience

  • PhD in entomology or related field
  • Experience in research methodology and statistical data analysis
  • Experience in supervising students
  • Independent with well-structured working style
  • Excellent communication skills to work in an international team
  • Strong motivation and ambition to succeed in scientific research

Remuneration:

The positions will attract a salary with benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications as applicable to contract staff in the College of Medicine. COM is an equal opportunity employer. Suitably qualified candidates should forward their applications together with a personal statement; copies of relevant certificates; and detailed CVs with names, contact numbers and emails of three traceable referees to:

The Registrar

College of Medicine

P/Bag 360

Chichiri

Blantyre 3

Email: vacancies@mac.medcol.mw and hr@medcol.mw

Applications should reach the Registrar not later than 31st August 2020. Only short-listed candidates shall be acknowledged.