Research Fellow (Adv#2/2025)

icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. icddr,b as a value-based organization encourages women and people with disabilities.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare serious acute life-threatening condition that is the most common and most severe acute paralytic neuropathy. The standard of care for GBS includes IVIg or plasmapheresis; however these therapies are not approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA.  Therefore, new therapeutic and targeted treatment strategies are needed for patients with GBS. The project ANX005-GBS-02, a phase 2/3 clinical trial is being conducted in Bangladesh to evaluate the efficacy of a monoclonal antibody (ANX005) as a novel targeted therapy for GBS.

Objective:
This Research Fellowship will provide an opportunity for aspiring researchers to work with eminent public health researchers and receive hands-on training, exposure, and experience in a research based environment like icddr,b. The Fellowship programme is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and performance of the individuals who want to become an independent researcher at icddr,b.

The Fellowship is aimed at young, bright and capable individuals who have recently completed their Masters or primary professional education, are in the career formative stage (within 3 years of receiving their last degree), and are interested in making a career in research. 

Key Responsibilities:

The Research Fellow will be reporting to the Principal Investigator or her/his delegates. The Fellow is expected to contribute to public health research under the guidance of the PI. She/he will assist PI and be primarily responsible for the following duties and responsibilities-

• Conduct literature review, analyze data and draw scientific inferences;
• Prepare presentation slides and assist the PI in making presentations in different scientific forums;
• Work with PI and other team members to write study reports and articles for peer-reviewed journals;
• Conduct peer reviews of manuscripts of other researchers in order to support scientific manuscript creation while developing one’s own scientific writing abilities.
• Generate research ideas, and develop concept notes;
• Estimate requirements for financial and non-financial resources based on research methodology;
• Circulate new protocol drafts internally and externally, seek feedback and modify accordingly;
• Coordinate with Research Administration (RA) for approvals for research-related activities;
• Provide training to Field Assistants/Data Collectors;
• Conduct periodic field visits to understand operational challenges and how to mitigate those challenges.

Required qualifications and experience:

• MBBS degree from a Medical College recognized by the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) with completion of one year of internship training.
• Master's degree in Public Health from a reputed institute with excellent academic records.
• Outstanding academic results (at least 3.5 out of 4 point scales both in Bachelor and Masters) from reputed universities enlisted by the University Grant Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) or BMDC;
• Strong interpersonal and excellent communication and writing skills in English;
• Must have strong critical thinking skills, data analysis and interpretation skills, ability to identify substantive problems and creative capacity to resolve problems. S/he should be dedicated, timebound, proactive, dynamic, and capable of working independently.

Location: Dhaka

No of position: 01

Contract Type and Duration:

• Duration will be 1 year with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and performance.

Stipend & Benefits:

• Tk.53,640/- per month (consolidated) inclusive of house rent and conveyance allowances;
• The progress of the Research Fellows will be monitored and evaluated. On successful completion of training and final evaluation, the Fellow will be awarded certificate;
• Income tax paid by icddr,b and subsidized canteen.

Prospects:
After completion of at least 1 (one) year Fellowship, Fellows will be eligible to apply for any other suitable posts against icddr,b vacancy announcements. However, such posts are not guaranteed. The selected Fellow will not be eligible for any other Fellowship programme at icddr,b.

Notes of attention:

• Only short-listed candidates shall be invited for written test /interview;
• icddr,b does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Interested candidates who fulfil the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by January 11, 2025.