Scientific Writer

Position: Scientific Writer

Department: Clinical Trials Unit Location: This post is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. Hours of work: Part time Tenure: Initially for 1 year, including a 2 month probation period, with possibility of extension based on project funding and annual performance appraisal Reporting to: Evelyne Kestelyn, Head of Clinical Trials Unit Vacancy reference: JD-0221-006

Background

The Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) is a large-scale clinical and public health research unit with sites in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Viet Nam and related Units in Kathmandu, Nepal and Jakarta Indonesia. OUCRU is hosted by the Hospital of Tropical Diseases (HTD) in Ho Chi Minh City, and the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (NHTD) in Hanoi. As a Wellcome Trust Asia Africa Programme, OUCRU has received substantial support from the Wellcome Trust since it was established in 1991. The purpose of OUCRU is to improve human health through a programme of research that is directly relevant to the local population as well as having national and international impact. The work of the unit covers clinical and public health research and includes work in immunology, host and pathogen genomics, molecular biology, virology, mathematical modelling, health economics, bioinformatics, biostatistics and epidemiology. Overall, the unit aims to have a positive and significant impact on global health and, in particular, the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. This is being achieved via an integrated, long-term research programme delivering high impact scientific papers that influence national and international guidelines, a post graduate training scheme, active participation in national and international meetings and membership of national and international committees. Priority is given to health issues important to our host hospitals, and to Viet Nam as a whole. All of the work of the Unit is funded through successful applications for internationally competitive grants and Fellowships. For more information please visit: http://www.oucru.org Recently OUCRU has been awarded a research grant to establish a Dengue Controlled Human Infection Model (Dengue-CHIM) in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, the first application of this approach in any dengue-endemic setting. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection of major global significance. Millions of infections are estimated to occur annually encompassing a wide clinical spectrum from inapparent infection to severe and fatal disease. Infection can be caused by any of four related viral serotypes but second infections with a different serotype are more likely to be associated with severity than primary infections. Although the first dengue vaccine was recently licensed, efficacy was only moderate despite demonstration of neutralising antibody responses to all four serotypes, and there are safety concerns regarding the potential to prime recipients for severe disease later. A Dengue-CHIM has great potential to advance dengue vaccine and therapeutic development and to strategically address the role of dengue immunity in the protection and pathogenesis of dengue virus (DENV) infection. In Phase 1 (2 years) we will focus primarily on bioethics and stakeholder engagement aiming to identify and mitigate both real and perceived risks, and also establish the infrastructure necessary to carry out a small proof-of-concept study following the established US model.

Job summary

The bioethics and stakeholder engagement conducted in Phase 1 with relevant local, national and international stakeholders will generate a wide range of quantitative and qualitative data. These data needs to be summarized and presented in an accessible way to both local and international audiences. The generated output will be used in different formats such as strategy papers for internal operations and position papers suitable for submission to national and international health bodies that describe the major issues (ethical and practical) of an endemic country Dengue-CHIM and how to mitigate them. Output will also need to be developed including:

Information for patients, such as health advice leaflets and websites
Educational materials for HCPs, including slides, posters, speaker briefs and presentations for conferences
Journal manuscripts for peer review

As well as creating content, the role might involve:

Ensuring that the content, format and structure of documents comply with regulatory, journal, or other guidelines
Reviewing and proofreading materials to check quality and scientific accuracy

Helping junior writers in their account team to develop so they reach their full potential.

Key responsibilities and tasks

Project Specific Responsibilities/Duties The post holder will report to the OUCRU-VN Head of CTU and will be responsible for the following tasks:

Writing clear, grammatically correct, technical and creative medical/scientific text for a variety of audiences (e.g. healthcare professionals, regulators and participants)
Ensuring the accuracy of all information, data and referencing for the publications/documents produced
Working on a variety of projects at the same time

Helping and advising junior members of staff

Selection criteria

Essential Criteria:

Based in HCMC (remote working is not possible)
A PhD degree in a social science (anthropology, sociology, psychology or a closely related subject) and a strong academic record including first author publications in the international literature;
A brilliant command of the English language so you can communicate clearly and precisely in various written formats and face to face (either a native English speaker or the equivalent of CEFR C2 IELTS 8.5 TOEFL iBT 110-120)
The clarity of thinking to structure documents so that they present complex information in a logical way
A basic understanding of statistics and the ability to work with quantitative data such as survey data.
A perfectionist’s attention to detail.
Faultless grammar and spelling.
The ability to follow and write briefs.
A proven ability to meet deadlines.
Above all, they will have a track record of delivering reports and publications in a related field.

As an individual, they will be personable, organised, enthusiastic, creative and highly motivated. They will be able to work independently. Desirable Criteria:

Work experience of a Health Research Institution.
Work experience with a UK university.
A strong work ethic and a solution-focused ‘can do’ attitude combined with intellectual curiosity and creativity
A passion for medical communications and education
The ability to work effectively in teams in a fast-paced, dynamic and creative environment

How to apply

Interested, qualified candidates are invited to send their detailed resume and cover letter in English, including copies of relevant degrees, certificates, by email to the following address: Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Laboratory of Clinical Science Hospital for Tropical Diseases 764 Vo Van Kiet, Ward 1, District 5, HCMC Tel: 39237954 Email: hr@oucru.org * We thank all applicants but only short-listed candidates will be notified for interview. Contact person Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Phúc