Study Assistant, One Health Infectious Diseases

Job description - Study Assistant, One Health Infectious Diseases

Organisation: Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research is affiliated with the University of Sydney in Australia and is recognized as one of the leading research institutions for respiratory diseases and sleep disorders. Operating in Vietnam since 2009, we have undertaken large operational, epidemiological and clinical research projects and run training in epidemiological and operational research methods for Vietnamese doctors and public health workers. The Woolcock Institute has three research centres and offices in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Ca Mau.

Currently we directly employ about 50 full-time staff and coordinates multiple study projects within lung health management and treatment across eleven provinces. We also expand research activity to other fields including antimicrobial resistance.

For more information about us, please visit:

Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia: www.woolcock.org.au
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Vietnam: www.woolcockvietnam.org

Overview: We are establishing an infectious diseases research lab, focussed on One Health, as a collaboration between Hanoi Medical University, University of Sydney, and Woolcock Vietnam. Some initial projects will include a project to determine whether Candida species carried by chickens can be easily transmitted to humans; an investigation into genetic relatedness of chicken and human Candida isolates, using whole genome sequencing; a study of azole resistance in environmental Aspergillus fumigatus isolates, including mechanisms of resistance. Other projects will be developed with time.

Work location: Hanoi, Hanoi Medical University (HMU)

Department: Hanoi Medical University (HMU) – University of Sydney (USyd) Joint One Health Infectious Disease Research Laborator

Type of work:

• Full-time

Duration: 12 months appointment, including 2 months’ probation with possibility of extension.

Job Summary:

You will join a small research group focused on laboratory and clinical studies aiming to improve outcomes from fungal infections.

You will be based at Hanoi Medical University but will work closely with colleagues from the Woolcock Institute for Medical Research and University of Sydney.

Your main projects will initially focus on under-recognized public health hazard – chronic pulmonary aspergillosis – and the zoonotic potential of Candida. Other projects will be developed with time. The successful candidate will receive formal career mentorship and will be exposed to a variety of academics from HMU, Woolcock, and University of Sydney. The successful candidate will be expected to work well with minimal supervision and will be encouraged to develop new avenues of investigation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understand the study protocols, and standard operating procedures.
• Conduct all laboratory work, under supervision (training will be provided as required)
• Co-ordinate and oversee the collection of clinical data and research samples from participants. Co-ordinate and oversee the collection of environmental research samples. Sample collection will primarily be undertaken by fieldworkers who will courier the samples to HMU.
• Provide training to field staff as required. Ensure that field staff complete database accurately.
• Maintain good communication with field workers and other collaborating staff at each site.
• Assist with data entry into the electronic databases, data cleaning and validation, and subsequently with data analysis.
• Work with other members of the project team to identify future areas for collaboration and research.
• Assist with presenting study progress and findings to collaborators and other audiences.
• Help to develop good relationships with study sites and act as a liaison.
• Other tasks as required.

Essential Criteria:

• Bachelor of Science
• At least 2 years’ experience in a research or diagnostic microbiology laboratory
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work closely with other study staff and hospital collaborators
• Good attention to detail in following protocols and keeping records
• Interest in clinical and/or epidemiological research
• Willing to travel within country and abroad.
• Excellent Vietnamese and English language skills (IELT >=6.0 or equivalent)
• Familiarity with computers and all standard Office programmes

Desirable Criteria:

• Master of Science degree
• Prior experience in clinical research
• Prior experience of working with filamentous fungi and / or yeast a definite advantage
• Experience with database design, and statistical software
• Understanding of academic, research or not-for-profit working environment
• Able to work with a minimum of supervision.

Applications:

For interested applicants, please send a cover letter together with a CV (with the name and contact details of at least three senior referees) in English or Vietnamese and scanned copies of your related degrees, no later than 30-May-21 by submitting the application form in the link as follows: https://airtable.com/shrEHhrmyayGTWOjs

We regret that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Review of applications will start as soon as possible and continue until 30-May-21, or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier.