Postdoc for the M-CARE Project: Integrated Care in Sub-Saharan Africa

The M-CARE project aims to address multiple long-term conditions (MLTC), including non-communicable diseases (MLTC-NCDs) and common mental health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This 5 year project focuses on shifting from fragmented models of care to a holistic, integrated approach that provides a whole-person focus. It seeks to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing evidence-based WHO PEN and mhGAP-IG strategies for integrated care of NCDs and common mental health problems in primary healthcare settings in three SSA countries: Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda.

The project’s aim is to improve primary care for patients aged 18 years and older with MLTC-cardiometabolic and common mental health conditions. The intervention will be delivered and evaluated through a pragmatic parallel arm cluster randomized trial in 230 primary care facilities, preceded by codesign with stakeholders.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher:

• You will coordinate and manage the M-CARE consortium of 7 international partners and report to the funder (European Commission);
• You will facilitate the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategies for the implementation of integrated primary care interventions. This involves close collaboration with all work package leaders within the consortium and precise monitoring of processes, also including the pragmatic trial execution, data collection, and analysis;
• You will analyze effectiveness, process, and implementation level outcomes and write scientific manuscripts;
• You will participate in the supervision of PhD candidates/researchers;
• You will (occasionally) teach or supervise students during their scientific internships.

The successful candidate will have:

• A completed PhD in Public Health, Global Health, or a related field;
• Experience with implementation research and conducting quantitative and qualitative research;
• Strong project management and analytical skills;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent command of the English language (spoken and written);
• Experience in engaging stakeholders, primary care, and randomized trials in SSA is highly desirable;
• Commitment to improving healthcare in SSA.

As a postdoctoral researcher in the M-CARE project, you will work in a team with the PI and one or more PhD candidates in Amsterdam UMC, as well as colleagues from the other 6 partner universities of the international consortium (mostly online). Additionally, you will meet many other researchers from other projects within the Department of Public and Occupational Health. You will work at Amsterdam UMC, mostly at location VUmc and sometimes at location AMC. The culture is open and friendly. For those who wish, there are plenty of opportunities for social contacts and experiences. The Department of Public and Occupational Health aims to actively contribute to reducing socio-economic health disparities and sustainable international cooperation.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.

The first round of interviews is scheduled for Thursday, May 29 and Friday, May 30. We kindly ask you to keep these dates in mind. The second round of interviews is expected to take place in June.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Dr. Erik Beune, Project Leader Generation H, via 06-50063324 or e.j.beune@amsterdamumc.nl, or Prof. Charles Agyemang, PI of the M-CARE project, via 06-48353652 or c.o.agyemang@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Chey Edwards, Recruitment advisor, via 06-21487245 or via c.i.edwards@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.