Clinical Research Fellow (NIHR CRIBS CRADLE)

Job description

The NIHR Global Health Group (GHRG) CRIBS aims to develop simple scalable innovations and research capacity building to improve maternal health in Sierra Leone. It is a multidisciplinary partnership between the University of Sierra Leone and King’s College London, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and Midwifery Schools. This novel equitable partnership between Sierra Leonean and UK-based researchers aims to develop and implement life-saving maternal health interventions and build research capacity.

Sierra Leone (SL) has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world (770 deaths per 100,000 live births), and the surviving infants of these women are up to 10 times more likely to die within the first 2 years of life. The risks to life are 40-60% higher for teenage mothers.

Our primary objective is to reduce deaths of mothers and their babies in Sierra Leone. To do this we have co-created a programme of work in collaboration with our research colleagues and implementing partners to develop, evaluate and implement novel life-saving interventions. Through equitable partnerships, with ongoing stakeholder engagement, we hope to drive the delivery of sustainable, evidence-based, and effective maternity and newborn care. We aim to build sustainable research capacity. This is delivered through a programme of research work (including 2 Young Lives, the CRADLE 5 trial, Apricot, Siphre, pineapple and Sierra-pineapple).

The successful candidate for this role will play a key role in the execution of the CRADLE 5 and lead on the novel SIERRA-PINEAPPLE trial

1. CRADLE 5 trial: The CRADLE Vital Signs Alert device – is a validated, portable and easy-to-use BP and HR monitor with inbuilt traffic light early warning system – that alerts users to act promptly, enabling timely life-saving intervention. Our study is about to enter its 2nd phase, a type 2 hybrid implementation-effectiveness randomised controlled trial (RCT) in a stepped wedge design.

2. SIERRA-PINEAPPLE: Our newest study will determine the use of PoCT PlGF in those less than 16 weeks gestation and ascertain the role of prophylactic aspirin in these at-risk patients.

The post holder will support study set-up, including refining study protocols, gaining REC/HRA approval and sponsor approval, setting up the trial database and opening participating sites. The post holder will support study recruitment, monitor data collection, and analyse quantitative and qualitative study endpoints. They will work closely with the PPI groups supporting the trial and facilitate training of postpartum health champions. They will contribute to publications of all trial outputs.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract from 5 th April 2023 until 2 nd April 2024.

This is a part-time post – full time equivalent

Skills, knowledge, and experience

1. Fully registered medical practitioner (MBBS and GMC registered)

2. Previous research experience

3. Good practical, communication, and organisational skills

4. Motivated and hard-working

5. Ability to integrate with others and work as part of team

6. Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, actively addressing areas of potential bias.

7. Experience of quantitative data analysis

8. Experience of managing multiple tasks concurrently

9. Experience of working in the developing world

Further information

The School of Life Course & Population Sciences is one of five Schools that make up the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King’s College London. The School unites over 400 experts in women and children’s health, nutritional sciences, population health and the molecular genetics of human disease. Our research links the causes of common health problems to life’s landmark stages, treating life, disease and healthcare as a continuum. We are interdisciplinary by nature and this innovative approach works: 91 per cent of our research submitted to the Subjects Allied to Medicine (Pharmacy, Nutritional Sciences and Women's Health cluster) for REF was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We use this expertise to teach the next generation of health professionals and research scientists. Based across King’s Denmark Hill, Guy’s, St Thomas’ and Waterloo campuses, our academic programme of teaching, research and clinical practice is embedded across five Departments.

More information: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/slcps