Research Clinician Job Vacancy at The Medical Research Council

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The MRC Unit, The Gambia is undertaking a randomised clinical trial that will examine the effects of administering a pneumococcal-conjugate vaccine either to expectant mothers at between 28 and 34 weeks gestation, or to newborn infants, shortly following birth, on pneumococcal carriage (as a surrogate of pneumococcal disease) in early life.

The two groups will be compared to the routine 2, 3 and 4 month infant schedule currently recommended by WHO and used in The Gambia. As well as assessing pneumococcal carriage and the immunogenicity of the vaccines (including transplacental and breast milk antibody transfer), safety follow-up of both mothers during pregnancy and also their newborn infants will be central component of the trial.


Job Title:  Research Clinician

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the post of a Research Clinician on the PROPEL trial. The PROPEL trial is a clinical vaccine trial which will investigate the potential value of maternal or neonatal vaccination with a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar13) in preventing pneumococcal carriage (as a surrogate for pneumococcal disease) in the first 20 weeks of life. The trial will be conducted according to ICH-GCP and local and internationally applicable regulatory standards.

The post-holder will assist the Clinical Trial Co-ordinator in the coordination of all clinical trial activities at the field sites providing supervision and leadership to a very experienced field team. The post-holder will also provide clinical care to study participants (expectant mothers and their subsequent born infants) and will be responsible, under the leadership of the clinical trial coordinator and PI, for safety reporting Throughout the trial. Ability to work under pressure and a high degree of attention to detail is required. Clinical experience in pediatrics/neonates and/or obstetrics would also be highly desirable. Previous experience of clinical vaccine trials and/or of working to ICH-GCP standards would be an advantage.

Essential requirements

• MBBS or equivalent.
• Experience of staff management.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Attentiveness to detail.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Willingness to be on-call and work outside the normal working hours.
• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Word,Excel,Access)
• Commitment to working in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills.
• A flexible and well-organized approach to work and an ability to meet deadlines.

The salary will be paid in grad 2 and will be dependent on qualifications and experience. The take home salary for research clinician 1 is 64, 734 dalasi per month. Candidate with FWACP part 2 will be appointed as Research Clinician 2 with a take home salary of 71,437 dalasi equivalent to $1,785 per month using the prevailing USD/dalasi exchange rate.


How to Apply

An application form and a copy of the job description are available from the email and address below. Completed application forms should be sent preferably by email to:

Human Resources Office:
Vacancy for: Research Clinician
MRC Unit, The Gambia
P. O. Box 273
Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: 002204495442
E-mail: [email protected]

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