Role overview
What you'll be stepping into
Makerere University School of Public Health is an academic and research institution focused on public health education, research and improving health outcomes. The School collaborates with local and international partners on research addressing important health and development challenges.
The School is inviting applications for a Research Officer to support the Wellcome Trust-supported NETOMA study, which is being conducted in collaboration with research partners in Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
About the NETOMA Study
The NETOMA study investigates why shortages of health workers can exist alongside unemployment and underemployment among qualified health professionals in Africa.
The research focuses on health workforce employment, professional identities and labour markets. It aims to contribute evidence that can improve understanding of health workforce challenges and inform relevant policies and practices.
The successful candidate will coordinate the study’s longitudinal research activities, with particular responsibility for quantitative data collection, participant follow-up, data management, quality assurance and statistical analysis across multiple study sites.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Research Coordination and Study Implementation
Coordinate the implementation of the NETOMA longitudinal study across participating research sites.
Plan and oversee research activities, survey development and fieldwork.
Coordinate field teams and support the consistent implementation of study procedures across sites.
Monitor study progress and help ensure that research activities are completed according to established plans.
2. Quantitative Data Collection and Participant Follow-Up
Oversee quantitative data collection across survey rounds.
Coordinate participant recruitment, retention and follow-up throughout the longitudinal study.
Support the development and implementation of survey instruments.
Monitor fieldwork quality and address data collection challenges in collaboration with relevant teams.
3. Data Management and Quality Assurance
Manage secure research databases, data storage and documentation.
Support appropriate data sharing among participating research partners.
Establish and maintain data-quality monitoring systems.
Develop dashboards and other tools to monitor research progress and data quality.
Ensure research data are handled securely and in accordance with applicable study procedures.
4. Statistical Analysis and Reporting
Conduct statistical analyses of longitudinal research data.
Apply appropriate quantitative methods to analyse complex datasets.
Contribute to scientific reports, research publications and dissemination activities.
Present findings clearly to support research discussions and evidence-based decision-making.
5. Data Visualisation and Geographic Analysis
Develop dashboards to monitor study activities and present research findings.
Support the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping tools where appropriate.
Use data visualisation and analytical tools to communicate findings and monitor data quality.
6. Research Ethics and Collaboration
Support compliance with research ethics requirements and approved study procedures.
Assist with regulatory approvals and related research documentation.
Work closely with local and international research partners.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across participating countries.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should possess the following qualifications and experience:
A relevant Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Public Health, Statistics, Quantitative Economics or a related quantitative discipline.
Three to five years of relevant academic or research experience.
Experience in health systems research, health workforce research or a related field.
Strong quantitative research skills, including sampling methods, longitudinal data analysis and management of complex datasets.
Proficiency in at least one statistical software package, such as Stata, R, SPSS or SAS.
Experience with electronic data collection and secure data management.
Desirable Skills and Competencies
The following additional skills and experience are desirable:
Experience developing dashboards and using Power BI, Microsoft Excel and GIS tools.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent communication and scientific writing skills.
Training in research ethics, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) or an equivalent programme.
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.
Previous experience in health workforce research.
A current appointment at Makerere University School of Public Health, which is listed as an advantage in the advert.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
The Research Officer position offers an opportunity to contribute to an international research collaboration examining health workforce employment challenges in Africa.
The role may be particularly suitable for researchers with quantitative analysis, public health, epidemiology or biostatistics backgrounds who want to strengthen their experience in longitudinal studies, international research collaboration and scientific publication.
How to apply