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LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
(University of London)
FACULTY OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND POPULATION HEALTH
Professor, Director Malawi Epidemiology and
Intervention Research Unit (MEIRU), Malawi
A permanent London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine position is available for an ambitious and
highly productive scientist with experience in international health, to assume direction of a large
research programme in Malawi. The appointee will be based in Malawi and will take up the post
immediately.
There are excellent opportunities both to build on the programme’s strong tradition of research on
tuberculosis, HIV and demography. The post holder would be expected to lead and develop a major
new research theme in global non communicable diseases.
The programme (the Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit (MEIRU) which was
previously known as the Karonga Prevention Study (KPS) has been running since 1979, and currently
employs more than 150 staff. It is based on a 15-acre campus near Chilumba, in Karonga District and a
new site is being set up in Lilongwe, Central Malawi. For further information, see:
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/eph/ide/research/kps/
Applications should be made on-line via our website at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference is this
post is JE1. Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed to [email protected]. A
covering letter, CV and names of three referees, who may be approached immediately, if shortlisted,
should also be included with the on-line application.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities
employer
LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
(University of London)
FACULTY OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND POPULATION HEALTH
DIRECTOR, Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit
FURTHER PARTICULARS
THE SCHOOL
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is one of Europe’s leading Schools of Public Health
and a leading postgraduate institution worldwide for research and postgraduate education in global
health.
Part of the University of London, the London School is the largest institution of its kind in Europe with a
remarkable depth and breadth of expertise encompassing many disciplines. The School was ranked one
of the top 3 research institutions in the country in the Times Higher Education’s 'table of excellence',
which is based on the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), ahead of the London School of
Economics, Oxford, Imperial and University College, London. The institution also achieved the largest
increase in ranking compared with 2001, of any of the top 10 institutions in the RAE rankings. In 2009,
the School became the first UK institution to win the Gates Award for Global Health.
The School’s environment is a rich multicultural one: there are almost 4000 students from 100+
countries following 22 taught masters courses delivered either in London (~650) or through distance
learning (~2700), and undertaking research degree training (~400). Over 40% of these students are
from non-European countries. The largest growth has been in distance learning students (>40% over 3
years), though the London-based student population (where accommodation limits growth) is at its
highest level ever. Alumni are working in more than 180 countries. The School has about 1400 staff
drawn from over 60 nationalities.
There are research collaborations with over 100 countries throughout the world, utilizing our critical
mass of multidisciplinary expertise which includes clinicians, epidemiologists, statisticians, social
scientists, molecular biologists, immunologists, ophthalmologists, anthropologists, virologists,
pharmacologists and nutritionists. At any one time around 100 School staff are based overseas,
particularly in Africa and Asia. We have a strong commitment to partnership with institutions in low
and middle income countries to support the development of teaching and research capacity.
The School has expanded greatly in recent years. Its research funding now exceeds £60 m per annum,
much of it from highly competitive national and international sources. The commitment of staff to
methodological rigour, innovative thinking and policy relevance will ensure that the School continues
to occupy a leadership position in national and global health, adapting quickly to new challenges and
opportunities.
Mission
The School's mission is to contribute to the improvement of health worldwide through the pursuit of
excellence in research, postgraduate teaching and advanced training in national and international
public health and tropical medicine, and through informing policy and practice in these areas.
THE FACULTY
The Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health (EPH) houses a large group of epidemiologists,
demographers, statisticians and nutritionists working on issues of major public health importance in the UK and
globally. EPH has approximately 330 staff members organised into four research departments:
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Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Department of Medical Statistics
Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology
Department of Population Health
The Faculty has a teaching programme consisting of ten MSc courses: Epidemiology, Demography and Health,
Medical Statistics, Public Health in Developing Countries (run jointly with the Faculties of Infectious & Tropical
Diseases and Public Health & Policy), Nutrition for Global Health, Reproductive & Sexual Health Research,
Veterinary Epidemiology (run jointly with the Royal Veterinary College), Global Mental Health (run jointly with
Kings College London - Institute of Psychiatry) and the Distance Learning courses in Epidemiology and Clinical
Trials. The Faculty also has approximately 149 research students studying for an MPhil, PhD or DrPH degree. The
Dean of Faculty is Professor John Edmunds.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology is the main focus of research on the
epidemiology of non-communicable diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
While most of our studies have been in the UK or other high income countries, we have a growing
programme of research on non-communicable diseases in low and middle income countries, including
India and parts of the former Soviet Union. Research interests range from genetic susceptibility to
disease, through metabolic and endocrine disease mechanisms to personal behaviours and the
population health effects of changes in national diets and drinking behaviours. Themes include
determinants of ethnic variation in disease risk; adverse drug reactions; epidemiology of ageing; foetal
and childhood origins of adult disease; determinants of reproductive outcomes; cardiovascular disease;
growth factors and cancer risk; natural history of genital human papillomavirus (HPV); time trends in
cancer survival; non-communicable diseases in low and middle income countries. The department has
considerable methodological strength and experience, particularly in the analysis of genetic association
studies and the conduct and analysis of large scale longitudinal cohort and record linkage studies. We
work closely with colleagues in other departments and faculties and have excellent collaborative links
with researchers in other institutions around the world. Funding comes from a wide variety of sources
including the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK. The Department
head is Professor Liam Smeeth.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Director, Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit (MEIRU)
Responsible to:
Head of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, and through him/her the
Dean of the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health
Grade:
Professor, clinical or non-clinical
The person appointed will be a member of the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health at
LSHTM, but will be based in Malawi. S/he will be expected to:
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plan, secure additional funding for, and lead the Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention
Research Unit (MEIRU).
assume responsibility for all of the ethical, scientific, financial, personnel and general
administrative aspects of the programme, including interactions with the funding agencies, the
LSHTM, the College of Medicine and the Government of Malawi.
strengthen collaborations with relevant institutions in Malawi, including the Ministry of Health,
the College of Medicine and the Malawi-Liverpool-Welcome Programme in Blantyre.
to participate in the teaching programme of the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population health,
LSHTM, including tutoring of MSc students and Supervision of Research Degree Students
to contribute to the life and reputation of the Department, Faculty and School by participating
in committees and other group activities, within the School as well as nationally and
internationally
to facilitate any other activities that will help to achieve the Department's objectives
to contribute to the income of the Department and Faculty
undertake such other duties as may reasonably be required by the Head of Faculty.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential qualifications and skills
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Established record of research in epidemiology or other relevant field, with evidence of
successful collaborations
A vision of future research directions for MEIRU
A proven ability to attract research funding
A proven ability to manage and lead a successful interdisciplinary research team, preferably in a
developing country setting
Sensitivity to the economic, cultural and political issues that affect research in an African
context
A record of high quality research publications
Good communication and teaching skills
Proven people-management and interpersonal skills.
Willingness to be based in Malawi
Experience of working in a developing country
Doctoral degree or Medical Degree with equivalent research experience
Desirable qualifications and skills
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Work on global non-communicable diseases, HIV or tuberculosis
Experience of successful management of international collaborations
Experience of teaching at a postgraduate level and of research degree student supervision.
SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
The appointment will commence in 2013. The appointment will be made on LSHTM’s pay scales at a
level depending on qualifications and experience. The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and
conditions of service. Membership of the USS Pension Scheme is available. Appropriate overseas
allowances will apply. [Candidates should be aware of the current UK Government advice concerning
local laws and customs in Malawi (http://www.fco.gov.uk)].
APPLICATIONS
For further information about the post please contact Prof John Edmunds
([email protected], tel +44 20 7927 2390)
Applications should be made on-line via our website at jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference for this post is
JE1. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until 11.00pm of the closing date.
Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed to [email protected].
The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience and training meet
each of the selection criteria.
Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date it may not be
possible to offer you an alternative date.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities
employer