Senior Research Officer/Research Officer

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 recognised 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 and Role

The Chronic Kidney Disease of UnceRtain Etiology (CKDu) in Agricultural Communities (CURE) Research Consortium, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a collaborative research consortium that brings together a broad range of expertise and enables discovery science to understand the causes of CKDu and risk factors for disease progression of CKDu.

The CURE Consortium will enroll a predefined number of both male and female participants between the ages of 18 and 45 across the spectrum of estimated glomerular filtration rate levels from CKDu-endemic areas in seven field sites. Participants will be enrolled in a cohort study to observe the progression of kidney function over time and to study potential causative agents of CKDu incidence and progression. The participants will be followed for at least 2 years in an effort to permit better characterization of the clinical phenotypes of CKDu. Address hypotheses about risk factors for CKDu incidence and progression, kidney function trajectories, and other possible outcomes (e.g., rapidly progressive CKDu).

The Senior Research Officer/Research Officer will be based in Andhra Pradesh, India, at the Palasa field office in Srikakulam. He or she needs to assist the study team and Project Lead in conducting assessments of community participants, collecting data and providing support for the intervention as necessary.

Their multifaceted involvement encompasses crucial research activities such as data management, quality control, scientific presentation, data analysis, proposal writing, and report writing for all the projects she/he is engaged in.

Reporting Relationships

Directly reports to Dr Balaji Gummidi, Project Lead

Duties and Key Responsibilities

The Senior Research Officer/Research Officer would be expected to:

1. Data Management: Skillfully managing data, ensuring its accuracy, accessibility, and security throughout the research lifecycle.
2. Quality control: responsible for ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of research data. You will develop and implement quality control procedures, conduct data audits, and collaborate with research teams to maintain high standards of data management both during data collection, and after.
3. On-Site Activities: Directly engaging in and overseeing activities at research sites, ensuring the smooth execution of planned initiatives.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation: Overseeing and evaluating the progress of research activities, maintaining a keen focus on achieving predetermined objectives.
5. Training and supervision of health workers: Playing a pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities of health workers through effective training sessions
6. Report Writing: Produce comprehensive and well-structured reports encapsulating research findings, methodologies, and recommendations.
7. Conducting Literature Review: Thoroughly reviewing existing literature to ensure our research builds upon current knowledge and contributes meaningfully to the field.
8. Stakeholder Communication: Actively engaging with both internal and external stakeholders, fostering efficient communication to ensure seamless collaboration and project alignment.

As a Team Manager:

• Ensure direct reportees understand and comply with GI’s Policies and procedures, standard operating practices, ethical practices (with respect to research, data quality and operations), and the legislative environment.
• Be responsible for managing the performance of direct reportees, including the completion of plans and agreeing on work and personal objectives and reviewing such plans and objectives in accordance with GI’s Performance Management and Development Policy.
• Act as a role model and ensure the team’s commitment to GI’s values, ensuring direct reports perform to a 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.
• Ensure direct reportees understand and comply with safe work practice and procedures.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Qualifications: Master's degree in public health, or Epidemiology, with more than 3 years of experience in field public health and research
• Excellent interpersonal skills with high level of proficiency in written and spoken English.  Communication in Telugu is a must and should be able to work well independently.
• Familiarity with data collection methods, data quality control, and ethical considerations in research.
• Working knowledge on data collection tools and databases such as RedCAP, Kobo tool box etc.
• Ability to manage research projects, including planning, execution, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of the structure and functioning of health systems in India, including public health programs and policies.
• Hands-on experience in conducting field research and data collection in diverse settings.
• A track record of publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at conferences
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting research findings and writing reports.

 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 “Senior Research Officer/Research Officer” in the subject line to hrindia@georgeinstitute.org.in by the 15 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.