Overview
The Research Officer will support the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) programme by contributing to laboratory protocols, research studies, data management, and capacity building for NTD elimination.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to the development of laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures and tools for diagnosis of NTDs
- Provide technical support in the designing and/or implementation of operational research studies related to PC-NTD elimination
- Perform O-150 PCR entomological testing of S. damnosum s.l. adults by molecular biology techniques or any novel techniques available in the laboratory, as well as any entomological analyses
- Document and disseminate best practices and laboratory protocols across national NTD laboratory network
- Provide technical support for the implementation of various collaborative operational research activities and contribute to the preparation of scientific reports and publications
- Support maintenance of the laboratory databases, develop mapping of laboratory data and entomological surveillance results, and liaise with the ESPEN data team
- Contribute to planning and facilitating inter-country and in country-trainings to build capacity of nationals in laboratory analytics of epidemiological, entomological and environmental samples for NTDs
- Provide other related duties as requested
Required Experience
A minimum of 2 years of national and international experience in applied molecular biology, research and development of surveillance tools for onchocerciasis or other priority NTDs in Africa, GIS data transformation for mapping and spatial modeling of onchocerciasis foci. Working experience with WHO and a good publication record on onchocerciasis and other NTDs would be an asset.
Qualifications
First university degree in computer sciences, information system engineering, geographical information system (GIS), Public health, Parasitology, medical entomology. Advanced certification in computer sciences, operational and strategic management of microorganisms, Molecular Biology, Parasitology, Entomology and laboratory sciences is desirable.
