Senior Social Science/Humanities Researcher (OUCRU)

Background

The Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) is a large-scale clinical and public health research unit, with headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City and units in Hanoi in Vietnam, Jakarta in Indonesia and Kathmandu in Nepal. In Vietnam, we are hosted by the Hospital of Tropical Diseases (HTD) in Ho Chi Minh City, and the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (NHTD) and the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) in Hanoi. As a Wellcome Africa Asia Programme, we have received considerable support from Wellcome since our establishment in Vietnam in 1991.

OUCRU’s vision is to have local, regional and global impact on health by leading a locally driven research programme on infectious diseases in Southeast Asia. Priority is given to health issues important to the hospitals where we work, and to the countries as a whole where we operate: Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal. All work is intended not only to benefit the patients seen daily at our host hospitals, but also to help improve patient care.

OUCRU employs approximately 320 people across Viet Nam and has an average annual budget of USD 12mil. Please see more information on OUCRU Website: www.oucru.org

Job Details

Position: Senior Social Science/Humanities Researcher (JDHAN_0723_008)
Department: OUCRU Hanoi
Location: OUCRU Hanoi offices at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases and at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi. There will be a requirement for international travel to attend Global Convening workshops and conferences.
Hours of work: Full time: Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week, extra hours may be required.
Tenure: Initially for 01 years, including a 02 month probation period, with possibility of extension based on annual performance appraisal and Research approval
Reporting to: Principal investigator

Job Summary

The Senior Social Science/Humanities Researcher will join the British Academy-funded Global Convening Programme entitled “A Just Transitions framework for equitable and sustainable mitigation of antimicrobial resistance”. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global concern, with more than 1 million attributable deaths and 5 million associated annual deaths in 2019 and US$100 trillion projected cost to the global economy by 2050 if no action is taken. Like climate change, AMR is a multisectoral, borderless problem that disproportionately affects the poorest, and requires collective action and coordinated efforts. Through this programme, an interdisciplinary team of social science and humanities researchers will develop a framework for Just Transitions toward equitable and sustainable solutions to mitigate AMR by engaging diverse groups of stakeholders to devise fair policies and regulatory tools. This approach has the potential to transform approaches to tackling AMR, as well as collateral benefits for planetary health.

The Senior Social Science/Humanities Researcher will develop their own area of research within this programme, ideally with a focus on environmental humanities and Nature-Based Solutions. They will develop case studies exploring tensions and trade-offs in policies and actions to address overuse of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance, and will work together with other researchers to synthesise learning across case studies.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate in Global Convening meetings held online and in different locations of programme members.

The post holder will also support other researchers within the unit working on social science research projects, and contribute to training and skills development workshops. There will be opportunities to conceive new initiatives and projects to expand social science and humanities research in the unit – particularly in areas that are associated with OUCRU biomedical research interests.

They will be personable, organised, enthusiastic, creative and highly motivated. They will be able to work independently but also be a team player.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

In addition to meeting the essential qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate for this position will be an experienced social science or humanities researcher, who is passionate about public health and environmental issues. You will be working in a team to implement research activities under the guidance/mentorship of the Senior Epidemiologist based in OUCRU Hanoi, and will also be supported by other members of the Global Convening Programme.

This work involves the following:

Design social science/humanities research activities linked to the Just Transitions programme;
Liaise with other programme members for international perspectives and input into projects;
Develop relationships with programme members to facilitate implementation and design of research projects;
Conduct local and international research to inform case studies and development of a Just Transitions framework;
Review literature to provide context for the research, and write up the results in reports and research papers;
Develop research protocols for external funding applications;
Travel locally, nationally, and internationally to conduct research and attend meetings;
Manage and administer project-specific budgets;
Help with training activities as needed.
Others as required by the principal investigator

Selection Criteria

Essential:

PhD or higher degree (MA/MSc), preferably with background in social sciences (e.g. sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, political science, management, development studies, geography) or humanities (e.g. philosophy, law, history, literature)
Excellent spoken and written English
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in cross-cultural settings
Experience in social science/humanities research and analysis
Experience of publishing in peer-reviewed journals

Desired:

Experience working on one or more of the following: antimicrobial resistance, agriculture, environment, environmental health, climate change adaptation/mitigation, pollution, landscape management
Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams to explore complex health and societal issues
Desire to interact with and work with a range of stakeholders and local communities
Experience using qualitative data analysis software (e.g. Nvivo, Dedoose, Atlas)
Highly organized
Energetic and creative; open to new approaches and ideas
Project and budget management experience advantageous
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, and yet be a team player

Benefits

Contracted salary: Negotiable (depending on actual experience and education).
Optional insurance: In-patient and out-patient medical coverage; Personal accident insurance coverage
Two months’ salary for annual bonus and clothes
Annual leave 18 days each year for the first year
Other responsibilities and benefits are based on Viet Nam Labour Law.

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 Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Hoa – Operations Manager: hoaptt@oucru.org

* The cover letter should detail:

What part of your education, training or employment history has best equipped you for this position and why you would be a good candidate?
Contacts of two referees who are your latest HR/ line manager and can provide details of relevant work experience and attitude