Job Summary Position:                 Research Scientist (1 Post)

Reports To:            Project Leader (Principal Investigator)

Work Station:              Ifakara

Apply By:    February 20, 2025

Institute Overview 

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is a leading research organization in Africa with a strong track record in developing, testing and validating innovations for health. Driven by a core strategic mandate for research, training and services, the Institute’s work now spans a wide spectrum, covering biomedical and ecological sciences, intervention studies, health-systems research, service delivery and policy translation. 

Position Summary 

Ifakara is seeking a qualified and experienced Research Scientist (Epidemiologist) who will play a key role in the design, implementation, and analysis of research studies addressing public health challenges in Tanzania and beyond. This role requires collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to generate evidence-based solutions that contribute to improving health outcomes, policy formulation, and program implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop research protocols, study designs, and methodologies for epidemiological studies. Conduct field and laboratory-based investigations in collaboration with project teams. Ensure that studies are conducted in compliance with ethical standards and institutional guidelines.
• Supervise data collection processes, ensuring accuracy and reliability. Perform statistical analyses using epidemiological methods and tools. Interpret results and contribute to scientific knowledge through evidence generation.
• Prepare technical reports, research manuscripts, and policy briefs. Present findings to stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, and academic audiences. Contribute to publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.
• Mentor and train junior researchers, interns, and students. Organize and deliver workshops or training sessions on epidemiological methods.
• Engage with local and international research partners, government agencies, and NGOs. Establish strategic partnerships to enhance research opportunities and funding. Represent the Institute in relevant technical meetings, conferences, and forums.
• Contribute to grant proposals and funding applications. Manage project budgets and ensure proper allocation of resources.
• Conduct any other duties as may be assigned by the Project Leader.

Qualification and Experience

• Master’s degree in Epidemiology or a related field.
• At least 2-3 years of experience in conducting public health research or epidemiological studies.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS) and data visualization tools.
• Strong knowledge of research ethics and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Proven ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals.

 Skills and Competencies

• Intermediate computer skills.
• Skills in statistical analysis.
• Ability to use open-source software for data analysis (R and Python).
• Capability to design and execute the research protocol.
• High skills in mosquito identification using Keys developed by Gillies and Coetzee
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and report-writing abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• High level of professionalism and ethical conduct.
• Fluency in English and Swahili (preferred) languages.
• Adhere to IHI core values (Integrity, Initiative, Equity, Excellence, Accountability).

Remuneration  

An attractive and competitive remuneration package will be offered to successful candidates as per IHI salary scales.

Equal Opportunity

IHI is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit intentional biases or discrimination and harassment of any kind at the work place and during recruitment. All employment decisions are based solely on job requirements and individual qualifications, and our recruitment process is governed by the labour laws of Tanzania.

Remote work opportunities

Mode of Application

All candidates who meet the above job requirements should send their application letters together with their detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) showing contact addresses including email, telephone/cell phone numbers and copies of academic and professional certificates to the email address below.

The deadline for this application is 17:00hrs on Thursday, February 20^th, 2025. All e-mail application subject lines should include: RESEARCH SCIENTIST – ANOPHELES AFRICA. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Applicants from Ifakara Kilombero will be given first priority and consideration.  

Senior Human Resources and Administration Manager

IFAKARA HEALTH INSTITUTE

#5 Ifakara Street Plot 463 Mikocheni

P.O. Box 78,373

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Email: [email protected]