Post:Research Assistant in Neglected Tropical Diseases Synthesis

Responsible to:Professor Paul Garner

Summary of role: Develop and update Cochrane reviews in neglected tropical diseases

Systematic reviews are central to many global and national guideline in health care. Cochrane has developed methods, produced a large number of systematic reviews, and has contributed to more transparent approaches to policy making.

The Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group was established in 1994, 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. We provide guidance to author teams throughout the world, and quality assure their product. It is part of the Effective Health Care Research Consortium, comprising partners in South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, India, China, and Norway; as well as strong links with the World Health Organization in Geneva. This work is funded by a grant from the Department for International Development.

Since the mid-1990’s, we have been one of the only academic groups performing systematic reviews in NTD (Nagpal et al. 2013)[1]. We have carried out some important reviews that have both supported[2] and challenged[3] policies. Our review of soil transmitted helminths has attracted widespread publicity, reported in the Guardian, featured on Radio 4 “More or Less”, and used in WHO Guideline development.

Main tasks

  • To work with a team of authors in updating one or two priority reviews in neglected tropical diseases related to mass drug administration, including albendazole for filariasis.
  • To join 2-3 author teams and contribute to the production of Cochrane reviews in these areas.
  • To 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.

We expect the successful applicant to participate in a review relevant to Countdown, Cochrane Infectious Diseases and in line with their own interests. This may include a) an appraisal of information about acceptability of mass drug administration; or b) diagnostic test accuracy review in a topic with a good reference standard.

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. You would work on a daily basis with dynamic and friendly Liverpool team. Your main points of contact will be, in alphabetical order: Paul Garner (joint co-ordinating editor), Anne-Marie Stephani (managing editor). Others you will work with include Vittoria Lutje (information retrieval specialist), Martha Richardson (statistician),Deirdre Walshe, (assistant editor) and Phil Hinds (editorial assistant). The Consortium is organised in the Liverpool office through Paula Waugh.

You will need to be able to work to deadlines. Post is available now. You will need the right to work in the UK.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 / Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, clinical tropical medicine, or vector biology / Postgraduate qualification or PHD in epidemiology or related quantitative topic
Postgraduate teaching qualification
Experience / In biomedical or social science research in low and middle income countries
Critical appraisal of medical literature at postgraduate level
Completed a substantive quantitative analysis, either a systematic review or an applied research project
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

Version:23 Nov 2016

Job Description RA NTD Synthesis 193(23NOV2016)

[1]:Nagpal S, Sinclair D, Garner P (2013) Has the NTD Community Neglected Evidence-Based Policy? PLoSNegl Trop Dis 7(7): e2238. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0002238.

[2]Adinarayanan S,Critchley JA,Das PK,Gelband H.Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)-medicated salt for community-based control of lymphatic filariasis.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews2007, Issue1. Art. No.: CD003758. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD003758.pub2.

[3]Taylor-Robinson DC,Maayan N,Soares-Weiser K,Donegan S,Garner P.Deworming drugs for soil-transmitted intestinal worms in children: effects on nutritional indicators, haemoglobin, and school performance.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews2015, Issue7. Art. No.: CD000371. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD000371.pub6.