Research Fellow

Our mission is to improve the health of millions of people worldwide.

• Full time Position
• Based in Delhi
• Fixed Term – Two Years

We have an opportunity for your career to make a difference!  We have a new and exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to join our organization.

 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" in the subject line to hrindia@georgeinstitute.org.in by the 20 February 2024

Context and Role

 Trans-persons in India are highly vulnerable to mental illness. A study of 300 transwomen in four Indian states found that 42.7% suffered from moderate/severe depression, another study found  48% suffered from psychiatric disorders, compared to ~3% of gender conforming individuals .  This burden, mental health of transgenders has been under-researched. United Nation recognizes mental health as a global priority and mental illness as a major challenge for sustainable development. Despite being a serious problem, mental health of transgenders has been under-researched in India. Such research is more relevant today than ever before, with the UN recognising mental illness as a major challenge for sustainable development and recognising mental health as a priority for global development(17).  The proposed study will help to understand and manage mental health problems and stigma faced by transpersons and build an understanding of what promote resilience and mental wellbeing among them. This knowledge will be used to co-create with transpersons an intervention model to increase mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and provide support to those suffering from stress, depression, and poor mental wellbeing. The study aims to undertake a preliminary evaluation of a peer support model, and explore its effects on anxiety, depression, suicide/self-harm and psychological wellbeing as well as assess the acceptability of the peer support model and identify facilitating and impeding factors. The study duration is for two years (January 2024 to December 2025)

This is a fulltime position and the research fellow is expected to oversee the implementation of the study and ensure that all project deliverables are met.

Reporting Relationships

This position directly reports to the PI of the project who is a senior research fellow located in the George Institute’s Delhi office. The research fellow will also be expected to oversee the work of the project supervisor and liase closely with a trans advisory group that will be set up to guide the research and with organisations that the PI deems necessary to enter into a collaboration with.

 Duties and Key Responsibilities

The Research Fellow would be expected to:

1. Call for and organise Trans Advisory Group (TAG) meetings as and when directed by the PI
2. Maintain minutes and action points of the TAG
3. Work closely with the PI and TAG members on the peer support model which will focus on reducing common mental disorders
4. Maintain a database of the transpersons recruited into the study
5. Form  peer support groups; train them and conduct regular meetings with them in consultation with the PI
6. Supervise the work of the research assistant, ensure that records of the attendance of peer members and reasons for non-attendance is maintained, observe peer group meetings and finalise the report of all peer group meetings
7. Develop and implement the time-bound evaluations (quantitative and qualitative) as per protocol and in discussion with the research team including the PI.
8. Monitor the evaluation using predetermined strategies.
9. Support the PI in organising dissemination meetings
10. Contribute to academic outputs of the project

As a Team Member:

• Participate in team meetings and activities relating to the project;
• Participate in special projects to improve processes, tools, systems and  organisation;
• 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.
• [FOR MANAGERS] Ensure direct reports understand and comply with safe work practice and procedures.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Qualifications: Masters/ Doctoral qualification in social sciences preferrable in psychology/sociology/MPH
• Experience of working of group formation and working with groups to deliver sessions
• Experience of research especially qualitative methods
• Demonstrated capability to produce outcomes and achieve objectives within agreed time periods.
• Strong problem solving, analytical skills, and proven strategic thinking.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, with ability to influence others to achieve common goals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with high level of proficiency in English and the ability to work well autonomously.
• Excellent team-work] skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate in small teams and with a wide range of varying stakeholders.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and to be adaptable to changing organisational priorities and ambiguous environments.
• Strong focus on producing the highest quality of work and on ensuring optimum accuracy of outputs.

Well organised and efficient, with the capacity to work under pressure

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

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. 

About the George Institute

We are a medical and health research institute affiliated with leading universities aiming to challenge the status quo in health care. With 700+ people around the world, and projects in over 40 countries, our Strategy 2025 is all about impact – specifically, the impact of The George Institute’s activities on the health of millions of people, particularly those living in disadvantaged circumstances around the world.

Our strategy focuses on three key research priorities:

• Better Treatments: finding better treatments for the world’s biggest health problems
• Better Care: transforming primary health care to support better health for more people
• Healthier Societies: harnessing the power of communities, governments and markets to improve health

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