Research Fellow

About The George Institute

The George Institute for Global Health was established in 1999 with a mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide, particularly underserved populations, by challenging the status quo and using innovative approaches to prevent and treat the world’s biggest killers: non-communicable diseases and injury.

With offices in Australia, China, India and the UK, our 700+ people support 245+ active projects and clinical trials across 50+ countries, with 400+ more staff across our social enterprises. We focus on the global health challenges that cause the greatest loss of life, the greatest impairment of life quality and the most substantial economic burden, particularly in resource-poor settings.

Together with our academic partners, UNSW Sydney in Australia, Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India and Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, we work with a global network of collaborators, undertaking clinical, population and health systems research.

Our experts are among the most cited globally, bestowed accolades for excellence and innovation, and regularly participate in policy fora. Our research is published in leading academic journals, referenced in policy documents, and recognized for its excellence, innovation and impact. We are designated a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for Injury Prevention & Trauma Care, and a WHO CC for Population Salt Reduction. Since 1999, we have raised more than $1 billion for research and produced over 10,000 peer-reviewed publications and other academic outputs.

What we do

• Lead world-class, large-scale clinical trials, epidemiological studies and health systems research to transform treatments and healthcare delivery
• Look beyond single diseases, across the life course, to identify patient-centred approaches to care that can be implemented at scale
• Develop low-cost, innovative solutions to global unmet needs
• Drive our global impact through a program of research, advocacy, thought leadership and disruptive social entrepreneurship

For more information about The George Institute, visit www.georgeinstitute.org.

The George Institute India

The George Institute, a wholly owned legal not-for-profit Indian research institute, has been conducting research related activities in India since 2002. The George Institute India’s mission mirrors that of the parent organization, namely the discovery and implementation of solutions to chronic and disabling health problems through research, policy development and capacity building.

A number of large-scale projects in population, health systems and clinical research, funded by a diverse group of sponsors, both public and private, are conducted in India. The George Institute India comprises two distinct operating groups: Research and Development, and Infrastructure and Resources. It has two separate offices - in Hyderabad and New Delhi, where the research staff and senior management are based.

Context

The Heat in Pregnancy Project-India (HIPP-I) consists of qualitative and clinical studies examining exposures to extreme heat and its impact on maternal and fetal health among pregnant and lactating women in India. The project will examine women vulnerable to heat stress across three different climate zones (Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh; Pondicherry; and Gurgaon, Haryana). The clinical studies will identify biomarkers associated with heat exposure and adverse outcomes, and describe physiological changes in fetal, maternal, placental and lactational functions.

The qualitative study will simultaneously focus on the experience and perceptions of heat exposures among pregnant and lactating women and adaptation practices and behaviors adopted by them to prevent exposure to extreme heat and address its deleterious impacts. It will document existing knowledge about living with heat while identifying opportunities for local heat adaptation. As findings emerge, we will bring together policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and people living with heat to develop practical policies and actions that will protect women and their babies.

Position Overview

The Research Fellow will proactively participate in the development, implementation, and documentation of the Qualitative aspects of the study in the project area, fostering relationships with community members, and coordinating with field-based project supervisors. Experience and interest in community engagement, conducting and analysing discussions and observations, and writing up findings are essential. Knowledge of the maternal and child health in India, related to climate change would be an advantage.

The Research Fellow will be based in Hyderabad office but should be willing and able to undertake domestic travel, as required. The appointment is initially for a period of 12 months. Any Indian applicant is eligible to apply.

Reporting Relationships

The Research Fellow will report to the Senior Research Fellow of this project, at The George Institute for Global Health, India.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

The Research Fellow will be actively involved in the design, execution, and documentation of qualitative research aspects in the HIPP-I project, including conducting interviews, focus group discussions, data analysis, and synthesising findings to inform project outcomes.

This will include:

• Accessing, reviewing and collating relevant peer-reviewed literature as well as relevant reports and articles 
• Collecting and documenting primary data in Bilaspur through interviews, FGDs and mapping
• Participate in team debriefs, documentation and reporting related to monitoring of data quality 
• Participating in community meetings, and conducting focus group discussions and interviews with community members and health system functionaries 
• Building and maintaining key stakeholder relationships, including relationships with project partners, and collaboration with staff as well as investigators at different sites in India
• Supporting primary data collection in other sites of the project to maintain uniformity across all sites
• Facilitating data management and analysis, and contributing to reports, publications and presentations  
• Drafting and submitting ethics applications for the study, and any other documents for government approval for field work 

Personal Development:

• Participate in planning and implementing of personal and career development activities
• Actively develop job-related skills

As a Team Member:

• Participate in team meetings and activities related to the projects and the Institute as a whole
• Participate in objective setting and performance management
• Take responsibility for personal learning and development and for setting achievable and meaningful work objectives and managing personal targets, meeting obligations of the Institute’s Performance Management and Development Policy
• Demonstrate commitment to GI’s values, including performing to an exceptionally high ethical standard and focus on integrity, collaboration and teamwork in all efforts.

Work, Health and Safety

• Comply with GI’s Work Health and Safety Policy and related procedures, and similar policies which apply when visiting the premises of affiliates and collaborating sites.
• Promote and contribute to a safe, secure environment for staff and visitors.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• PhD / MA in Sociology, Social Work, Political Science, Social Anthropology, Development Studies, Environmental studies, Sustainable development studies & Public Health will be desirable
• Minimum 3 years of experience in qualitative research and primary data collection using interviews and FGDs.
• Proficiency in spoken Hindi and English
• Familiarity with the context of Chhattisgarh would be an advantage
• Understanding of the importance of data quality and accuracy
• Experience of working within large teams
• Availability and willingness to undertake national travel
• Ability to work in cross-cultural settings
• Experience in using qualitative analysis softwares like Atlas. TI or NVivo will be valuable.
• Familiarity with journal submission processes and peer-review systems.

General

• Strong focus on quality of work
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Good organisation and time management skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to see the big picture, and focus on detail
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable

For more details, please see the Position Description for this role.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should send their resume with full contact details, current and expected CTC/salary. Clearly mentioning the job title “Research Fellow- HIPP-I” in the subject line to hrindia@georgeinstitute.org.in by the 12^th January 2025.

Our big and bold mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide needs a diverse and innovative team to deliver it. So we foster a dynamic, inclusive and flexible workplace where each individual can bring their best selves to work.

Everyone is encouraged to apply, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with a disability, people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, and mature-aged adults.