Job Description

Post:Clinical/Research Associate in HIV/AIDS Evidence Synthesis

Responsible to:Professor Paul Garner

Summary of role: Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group (HIV/AIDS speciality)

Background

We are looking for someone interested in HIV/AIDS to work with us on developing our portfolio of Cochrane and related systematic reviews relevant to current questions in the field. You will be working with the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group, one of the first Cochrane Editorial Groups to be established. We have a strong record in high quality reviews in malaria, tuberculosis, tropical and other infectious diseases, and recently became responsible for the HIV/AIDS portfolio.

You will work closely with a team in Cape Town at the University of Stellenbosch in developing a cutting edge set of relevant HIV/AIDS reviews in areas where Cochrane reviews add value, particularly with your full time counterpart who is already developing reviews in some areas. You will be able to draw on an extensive and supportive network of methodologists, authors, editors and researchers, and be part of a small team in Liverpool.

We anticipate initially you will join author teams on review updates or reviews in progress where help is needed, and in due course identify a review you may lead in. You can then help as an author or as a technical advisor to a portfolio of reviews.

You will benefit from supportive high level on the job training, contribute to teaching. There may be opportunities to gain a SEDA qualification in postgraduate education

Aim

In partnership with the staff in Cape Town, contribute to the development of policy relevant, informative systematic reviews in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care delivery.

Objectives

  • To join 2-3 author teams in interesting, topical and important HIV/AIDS review and work with the team through to completion.
  • To work with the Cochrane team in Liverpool inappraising the published HIV/AIDS review portfolio to decide on next steps.
  • To support author teams with advice, and help with aspects of editing, refereeing and topic appraisal of reviews.
  • To contribute to the teams’ postgraduate training portfolio in evidence synthesis at a level commensurate with their experience, skills and interests.

The successful applicant will have opportunities to contribute to submissions for grant funding, to contribute to partner capacity development, and to become involved with other research projects in dialogue with your line manager.

For any further questions about the post please contact

You will gain a wide spectrum of experience and skills in current methods of research synthesis.

Person specification

Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Education & Training / Health related degree, including public health masters, medical degree, or other health professional / Postgraduate qualification in epidemiology or related quantitative topic
PhD
Postgraduate teaching qualification
Experience / In HIV/AIDs policy or care
Analysis of applied health services statistics or data for a dissertation or research publication demonstrating epidemiological and statistical ability
Critical appraisal of medical literature at postgraduate level
Excellent abilities to write in plain English
Working in a multidisciplinary team / Completed a systematic review of effects
Author of a Cochrane review, and experienced in the software used
Experience using GRADE
Experienced in teachinghealth professionals at postgraduate level
Track record in published research
Skills & Abilities / Clear evidence of critical insight into priority policy questions in international health relevant to infectious diseases.
Good communicator
Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
Computer literate with working knowledge of MS Office applications
Excellent time management and organisational skills / Demonstrable teaching skills to postgraduate students
Experienced in editing and writing scientific articles
Knowledge / Systematic reviews and RCT trials basics
Special Aptitude / Initiative, and ability to organise own time
Fastidious attention to detail
Able to work flexibly
Enthusiastic approach to work
Ability to work collaborative / Committed to capacity development
Interests / Essential to be interested In developing countries and infectious disease problems
Circumstances / Fixed term
Needs to be able to travel overseas / Needs to have right to work in the UK
Able to spend several weeks overseas at one time

This post is funded by Cochrane Central to fast track HIV/AIDS reviews, and the post holder will be expected to work closely with a team of editors and authors in Cape Town.

Version: 16 August

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