Post: Senior Research Associate/Senior Technical Officer

Job Description

Responsible to:Principal Investigator (PI)

Background:Technology is being used in innovative ways to empower health practitioners, decision makers and patients. New forms of health education and communication are being developed and Engaging Tools for Communication in Health (ETCH) is ensuring LSTM is part of this exciting movement.

Summary of role: To develop, deliver and evaluate digital solutions for training, communication and engagement in public health. This will involve leading the serious gaming portfolio within the Department of Vector Biology, via technical expertise into the development of the games. The postholder will also work with colleagues to expand the portfolio of this work.

The Department of Vector Biology at LSTM leads a number of projects that incorporate serious gaming with a focus on improving disease control and surveillance. We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic person to join the current team to lead and develop this portfolio. The successful candidate will lead on current games under development on Insecticide Resistance Management and HIV transmission but there will be exciting opportunities to expand the portfolio of educational tools and develop new collaborations. The role will be based in Liverpool, UK.

For appointment as a Senior Research Associate you would be expected to have a track record in raising research grant income and publishing in internationally recognized peer reviewed journals.

Key tasks:

Lead the development and management of the serious gaming project to improve insecticide resistance management tools.
With key stakeholders manage the development and delivery of serious games to enhance understanding of HIV transmission in Philippines.
To disseminate the outcomes of this research via publication in the scientific literature, presentations at conferences and other appropriate media.
Support the preparation of funding bids to expand this portfolio of work
Manage the technical budget line items and ensure activities are performed in line with LSTM financial procedures. Check in-country project expenditure against budgets and provide financial reports to the PI and to LSTM finance as required.
Support and manage staff on the gaming projects at LSTM.
Assist with supporting country partners in Africa and Philippines with aspects of the project.
Function as an interface between LSTM and related partners.
Assist in obtaining in-country approvals for research and operational activities
Communicate administrative and technical information to in-country project partners and to national bodies (under direction of the PI) as required
To contribute towards innovation in Teaching and Training programmes within LSTM.
Be responsible for working in a safe manner adhering to local and legal requirements
Be actively involved in the expansion of the gaming portfolio and related work in the department
Any other duties commensurate with the role.

For the Senior Role

To develop research objectives, projects and proposals in a distinctive area of global health, secure the funds to realise these objectives, and conduct individual and collaborative research projects.
To contribute significantly to the reputation of LSTM as a centre of research excellence in Global Health in a manner that impacts positively upon the UK universities’ Research Excellence Framework exercise.
To contribute actively to the effective management of LSTM activities via membership of one or more key committees.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Criteria / Competency / Essential/
Desirable / Assessment
Education & Training / PhD or equivalent in a field relevant to public health
Relevant recent working experience in the development of educational tools for public health / E
E / Application Form/CV
Experience / Proven experience in the co-ordination of multi partner projects
Proven Project co-ordination experience including budget and financial activities with experience in milestone driven research orientated projects
Working knowledge of vector control programmes
Experience of development of digital communication tools
Proven ability to produce reports and other technical documents (e.g., peer reviewed publications, WHO documents)
Ability to train / develop capacity with others
Ability to generate technical presentations and documents
Published in peer reviewed journals
Proven ability (or clear potential) to secure competitive grant funding / E
D
D
E
D
E
D
E/D
E/D / Application Form/CV
Skills & Abilities / Team management skills
Fluent English verbal and written
Excellent organisational ability and attention to detail
Proven ability in the use of databases, and data management
Proven track record of taking responsibility and ownership for problems and seeing them through to resolution
Flexible with ability to multi task and prioritize time and task demands
Able to demonstrate assertiveness and tact
Strong interpersonal skills and experience in building working relationships with people at all levels
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Excellent working knowledge of MS Office and software packages
Experience of communication with wide range of disciplines and cultures / D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
D / Application form /CV
Knowledge / Vector Control
HIV
Serious Gaming / D
D
D / Application form /CV
Special Aptitude / Ability to work under pressure
Willingness to travel extensively in country
Willingness to travel overseas
Able to work without detailed supervision and under pressure to competing deadlines
Adaptable to program needs
Ability to work co-operatively and productively within a team environment as well as independently
Ability to network, build and maintain external partnerships/relationships
Ability to work with a range of people in a multi-cultural environment
Flexible with regards to working objectives and working arrangements / E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E / Application form/CV
Interests / Public Health / E
Circumstances / Must be prepared to travel