Research Clinician Job at Medical Research Council Unit

The MRC Unit, The Gambia is the Council’s largest establishment conducting medical research in a developing country. The Unit aims to improve the health of people in low-income countries by excellence in a multi-disciplinary research programmes. We have developed an exciting research agenda to reflect changes in national and global health priorities. Our new science portfolio is organized around three themes: Child Survival, Disease Control & Elimination and Vaccination.

We are looking for a Research Clinician to be based at Bansang in the Central River Region of the Gambia.

• The post-holder will be responsible for assessment, investigation, management and documentation of patients admitted to the Bansang Hospital paediatric ward
• He/she will supervise the enrollment of cases in the case control study and supervise a team of nurses and X-ray staff working on the case control study
• He/she will also be part of the Pneumococcal Surveillance team and will conduct research activities in the Central and Upper River Regions of The Gambia
• Bansang is in a rural area approximately 250 kilometers from the coast with limited local and schooling facilities
• The appointment is for 30 months in the first instance

The Salary attached to the post is in Occupational Group E1/E2 dependent on qualifications and experience. Salary will be in Occupational Group E1/E2 dependent on qualifications and experience. The salary for Occupational Group E1 is within the range 671135 Dalasis per annum – 923382 Dalasis per annum which converts to £14914 – £20520 per annum before tax and £11514 –  £15761 per annum after tax.

The 2 successful candidate with their FWACP Part 2 will be in Occupational Group E2. The minimum salary for Occupational Group E2 is 941405 Dalasis per annum before tax and 722912 Dalasis per annum after tax. This converts to £16065 per annum after tax. The point on the E2 scale is dependent on experience. Please note that the salary package is paid in Dalasis and the sterling figure quoted is just given as a guide. For displaced staff the package will include rent-free furnished accommodation, flights, contribution to school fees and shipment of personal effects. 

Required Skills or Experience

We seek a Clinician with:

• MB, BS or equivalent medical qualification
• FWACP Part 1 or equivalent
• Minimum of three years post-graduate experience
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience of supervising staff
• Good record keeping skills
• Good clinical procedure skills
• Excellent organisational and management skills
• Computer literacy in Windows, Word, Excel and a Statistical Software
• The ability to deal sensitively with patients, especially children and their mothers
• The ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team including Sci entists, public sector and Government Staff
• Willingness to work flexible hours and be on the on-call rota
• Willingness to live in a rural area with limited facilities
• Although not essential, FWACP and/or research experience would be an advantage

If you are interested and feel you have the qualities, skills and experience for any of the above vacancies, then contact the Human Resources Office to obtain a Standard MRC Application form and a copy of the Job Description. Completed application forms together with copies of qualifications and a recent CV, should be sent to:

Human Resources Office
Vacancy for: Research Clinician (Pneumococcal Surveillance Project-PSP)
MRC Unit, Fajara
P. O. Box 273
Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa