Around 35 million people live in the coastal regions of Bangladesh, where water salinity is a major problem contributing to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and other environmental health hazards. The project will investigate whether strengthening primary health care for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and implementing low-cost solutions to mitigate drinking water salinity can contribute to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney diseases among selected coastal areas in Khulna and Satkhira districts.

Key responsibilities:

The Research Trainee will report to the Scientist and is responsible for preparing research concepts and protocols, planning, organizing, and directing the implementation of research activities. H/She will analyze data and write manuscripts, take on a leadership role, negotiate with key stakeholders for field management, and provide relevant input into ongoing project operations. H/She will support research studies within the guidelines of project-specific research procedures and organizational values. The areas of responsibilities are given below:

• Assist to create a detailed project plan as per the timeline and coordinate with internal teams to ensure execution;
• Support to assign responsibilities to the team and initiate activities as per the project plan;
• Monitor the progress of research and project-related activities and staff;
• Conduct periodic field visits for coordination and mitigate operational challenges and work with PI in cost-tracking activities;
• Assist Supervisor and Principal Investigator (PI) in research proposal and protocol development;
• Develop protocol in RRC format and share internally and externally, seek feedback and modify accordingly as per the guidance of the supervisor;
• Coordinate with Research Administration (RA) for approvals for research-related activities;
• Attend team meetings and present study achievements, updates and challenges;
• Perform data analysis, literature review (scoping review) with the supervision of PI and supervisors;
• Write project reports, policy brief, draft manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals;
• Liaise with government and non-government stakeholders in implementing project activities and developing collaboration.
• Liaise with community members for the purpose of research co-production, engagement, capacity strengthening, and advocacy;
• Conduct primary research into the health impact of water salinity on coastal dwelling populations in Bangladesh under the supervision of Principal Investigator;
• Assist to conduct research on strengthening primary healthcare using digital health technology, and/or conduct research into the development, implementation, and evaluation of a multisectoral intervention to mitigate the detrimental health impact of environmental change;
• Engage in a program of online and in-person learning to strengthen capacity in core research skills across a range of disciplines.

Required qualification and experience:

• MBBS degree from a Medical College recognized by the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council, or Master degree in Public Health/Hydrogeology/Environmental Science.
• At least 1 year of experience in public health research (preferably in non-communicable diseases and environmental health ) with strong interpersonal and excellent communication and writing skills in English.
• Outstanding academic results (CGPA at least 3.5 in both Bachelor’s and Master’s); from reputed universities enlisted by the University Grant Commission of Bangladesh (UGC).
• Candidates who demonstrated exceptional research skills and/or have publications in international peer-reviewed journals with significant contributions will be given preference.
• Candidate must have strong critical thinking skills, the ability to identify substantive problems that threaten the research activities, and the creative capacity to resolve these problems.

Location: Dhaka

Contract Type and duration:

Research Traineeship basis; duration will be 1 year with a possibility of extension subject to availability of fund and performance.

Salary & benefits:

• Tk 74,620/-per month(consolidated) inclusive of house rent and conveyance allowances.
• The progress of the Trainees will be monitored and evaluated. On successful completion of training and final evaluation, the Research Trainee will be awarded certificate;
• Income tax paid by icddr,b and subsidized canteen; Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.

Notes of attention:

• Only short-listed candidates shall be invited for written test/interview;
• icddr,b does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Interested candidates who fulfill the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by July 03, 2024.