Senior Social Scientist

Department

Tenure

The Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) is a large-scale clinical and public health research unit based in Viet Nam. We are hosted by the Hospital of Tropical Diseases (HTD) in Ho Chi Minh City, and the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (NHTD) in Hanoi. We also have sister units in Kathmandu, Jakarta and Shantou.  As a Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, we have received considerable support from the Wellcome Trust since our establishment in 1991.

OUCRU 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, contributions to training, the scientific literature, national and international meetings and membership of national and international committees. Priority is given to health issues important to the hospitals, and to Viet Nam as a whole. All work is intended not only to benefit the patients seen daily at our host hospitals, but also to help improve patient care throughout Viet Nam and the region.

Please see more information on OUCRU Website: www.oucru.org.

The Senior Social Scientist will coordinate and implement qualitative research regarding the socio-cultural aspects of death and dying and the ethical and socio-cultural perspectives surrounding autopsy in Vietnam.

The Senior Social Scientist will also contribute to an ongoing study regarding the experiences and impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities in Vietnam.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate for this position will be an experienced qualitative researcher.

You will be working in a team to implement research activities under the guidance/mentorship of the Social Science Team Lead and will also be supported the Head of Public Engagement. This involves the following:

• Design qualitative research activities;
• Liaise with others for input into projects;
• Conduct initial stakeholder mapping;
• Develop relationships with local collaborators and stakeholders to facilitate implementation and design of research projects;
• Conduct focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and participant observation;
• Manage and analyse data through qualitative research processes;
• Review and synthesize literature to provide context for the research;
• Write up and disseminate results in reports and research papers;
• Contribute to training and skills development workshops.

• MSc or higher degree, with background in social sciences, anthropology, or related field
• Excellent spoken and written VIETNAMESE and English essential
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in cross-cultural settings essential
• Experience in qualitative data collection, data organization and analysis
• Experience using qualitative data analysis software (e.g. Nvivo, Dedoose, Atlas)
• Highly organized
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, and yet be a team player

• Contracted salary:  Negotiate (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/year for the first year, a maximum of 30 days
• Other responsibilities and benefits are based on Viet Nam Labor Law.

Interested candidates are invited to send curriculum vitae, application and copies of relevant certificates, either by email or by post to:

• Why you would make a good candidate for this position?
• Names of two referees who can provide details of relevant experience

*** We thanks all applicants for their interests, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.