Job Description

Zvitambo is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary public health research institute with the mission of helping children survive and thrive through research. We work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to conduct research and provide technical support and education to reduce the burden of malnutrition and infectious diseases, and give children a good start in life. Zvitambo is registered as a non-profit company with the Ministry of Justice and operates from Harare and Shurugwi.

Job Purpose
Zvitambo has an exciting opportunity for someone to join the organisation as a post-doctoral research associate (PDRA). This position would suit a research associate with a strong interest in the field of infectious diseases and immunology.
The post holder will work on a project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aiming to characterise hybrid SARS-CoV-2 immunity in Zimbabwean adults with HIV and other chronic diseases. The PDRA will work on human samples collected as part of ongoing clinical studies looking at immune responses to infections and/or vaccines. Specifically, the post holder will work to characterise T-cell immunity and functional SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in serum and the mucosal compartment generated by infection and inactivated vaccines.
One of the aims of the project is to increase the resilience in immunology laboratory capacity in Zimbabwe to ensure that assays can be easily adapted for future studies of T-cell, antibody and mucosal studies of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens.
The successful applicant will work closely with research teams led by Prof Thushan de Silva (University of Sheffield), Prof Sarah Rowand-Jones (University of Oxford and the University of Sheffield), Prof Katharina Kranzer (LSHTM and the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) and Prof Andrew Prendergast (Queen Mary University of London and Zvitambo Institute)

The post holder will be based at our laboratory and offices in Harare and is for 18 months.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Duties
• Develop, validate and perform immunological assays using samples collected from clinical cohorts
• Publish research findings in high-quality, international journals, and to present data at local group and departmental meetings, as well as national and international conferences.
• Manage own academic research and administrative activities, guided by the PI and co-PIs. This involves small scale project management, to coordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines
• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols for the study of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, and lead establishment of these assays in Zimbabwe
• Make detailed experimental observations and provide critical input on experimental designs and approaches
• Gather, analyse, and present scientific data from the study, and provide regular updates to the PIs and research collaborators
• Prepare, present and contribute to regular lab meetings, group- and departmental- scientific meetings
• Contribute ideas for new research projects, develop ideas for generating research income, and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers
• Collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and lead the writing of research papers in high quality, international journals, also present papers and posters at local, national and international meetings
• Act as a source of information and advice, as well as providing guidance and training to other members of the organisation and visitors on scientific protocols and experimental techniques
• Take responsibility for the maintenance and ‘good’ running of laboratory equipment within the organisation providing training and advice when required
• Monitor and maintain a safe working environment in accordance with Health and Safety procedures
• Work flexibly across laboratories as required, including local departments and long periods of work overseas.
• Maintain a regularly updated knowledge of the relevant research literature and attend meetings to keep abreast of developments in the field of research

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:
• Candidates with the right to work in Zimbabwe are eligible
• Have a PhD in immunology or equivalent field
• Experience in working on immunological studies characterising immune responses to infections and/or vaccines
• Possess sufficient specialist knowledge of a breadth of immunological techniques, including experience in set up and validation of new assays independently
• Excellent academic track record including publications and presentations at national/international conferences
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations
• Ability to work independently and use initiative
• Ability to work constructively and effectively within a small international team.
• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities
• Experience of supervising PhD, MSc, or undergraduate students
• Experience of developing and maintaining a network of contacts and form positive working relationships with a wide range of people

Desirable:
• Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances
• Excellent interpersonal skills and understanding the needs of stakeholders of different cultural background
• Ability to work effectively with overseas collaborators
• Experience working in a low- or middle-income country
• Experience in writing funding applications
• Experience working within a research organization
• Keen understanding of the research ecosystem in Zimbabwe.

How to Apply

Please email your application to [email protected] with the subject heading: Application for Post Doctoral Research Associate. Please include a cover letter, CV, and other supporting documents; it is preferable if this can be combined as one PDF document.

The closing date for applications is 14 August 2024. This post will start in mid September/October of 2024. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Consider your application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to automatic disqualification.

By submitting your personal information, you consent to Zvitambo holding and using it in accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. Zvitambo reserves the right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to authenticate their validity.

Zvitambo is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse work force.