Location: Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
Opening Date: 1 February 2022
Closing Date: 4 February 2022
Immediate Supervisor: Deputy Director (Zoonotic Studies)
The African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), based at Redeemer’s University, Nigeria, is focused on driving innovation in viral genomics research, outbreak response, diagnostic development, and capacity building. Established in 2013 and supported by the World Bank and the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) H3Africa consortium, among other funders, the ACEGID platform is building genomics pipelines, advancing our understanding of microbial threats, and training the next generation of African scientists how to identify, manage and control these threats. ACEGID is built upon strong collaborations forged across West Africa (Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone) and beyond (United States, United Kingdom) allowing for increased reach and scalability of its innovations.
Position Description:
We seek a highly motivated individual to work closely with researchers across the ACEGID network of labs across Nigeria.
The ability to communicate effectively, work well in a team setting, and a strong desire to learn new methods are required. The candidate helps to coordinate and manage project tasks and deliverables, analyze data as required and conduct administrative duties such as setting up meetings and preparing budgets. S/He will also interact with members of the group assisting with research projects focused on creating and refining tools for zoonotic disease surveillance. The position offers an excellent opportunity to participate in a dynamic research environment in an exciting fast-paced field of research.
The position is a 2-year renewable contract, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
Main duties/key responsibilities
• Responsible for questionnaire administration aimed at zoonotic disease surveillance.
• Conduct interviews and focus group discussions with the different stakeholders.
• Collect biological samples wherever the project determines, under the guidance of senior project staff.
• Collect and organize statistical data, geospatial data, and other information (e.g., domestic and wildlife demographics) as directed.
• Manage biological sampling from peri-domestic species in the study area, including managing regulatory requirements for such work, under the guidance of senior project staff.
• Responsible for checking electronic data entry and data entry tool development, including interactions with a commercial partner firm which developed the data capture technology.
• Maintain relationships with different multi-disciplinary teams within the Zoonotic project to link the analysis with the other on-going studies/data.
• Assist in organizing stakeholder meetings and seminars, and (when applicable) participate in scientific workshops and conferences.
• Take primary responsibility in managing the project’s public facing communications, including management of social media related to zoonoses and one health research activity.
Requirements:
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Demonstrable education and experience of working in Veterinary or/and ‘One Health’ related research activities
• Ability to communicate with the different study participants
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Ability to maintain quality, safety and/or infection control standards
• Understanding of zoonotic disease surveillance and One Health
• Excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication skills
• Cross-cultural competency: ability to work with a diverse, global team.
• English fluency
Education and Experience:
• Degree in Animal Health, Zoology, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or related fields
• Master’s degree in Veterinary Science or any life science discipline
• Ph.D. in any life science subject is an added advantage
• At least 3 years of relevant experience
• Experience in data entry in electronic databases and conducting interviews and focus groups; managing communications tools for scientific communication; handling electronic data (entry and management)
• Veterinary or/and One Health educational background
• Experience in global health preferred
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send a two-page resume and a one-page cover letter, explaining suitability for the position in a single pdf document titled with full name in a mail with ‘Assistant Zoonotic Research Project Manager Application’ as its subject to hr.acegid@run.edu.ng. The deadline for applications is 4 February 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.