UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for
Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)
Research Training Grants in Social Science (MSc level)
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TDR is inviting applications for Research Training Grants (RTGs) to
be awarded to individuals who are interested in strengthening their
qualitative and quantitative social science research skills, and
who are willing to conduct field research as a member of a
multidisciplinary research team.
In collaboration with the WHO Roll Back Malaria Initiative, TDR is
aiming to identify major barriers to early diagnosis and
appropriate treatment of malaria in rural areas of Africa, and to
develop interventions aimed at overcoming those barriers. Areas of
interest include:
Determining the effectiveness of existing anti-malarial drugs
compromised by drug resistant parasites
Improving home management practices and use of
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for febrile illnesses
Development of an anti-malarial formulation suitable for early
treatment severe malaria in individuals who cannot take oral
medication or cannot be immediately referred to a hospital
Developing improved referral mechanisms for severely ill
children
TDR's Intervention Development and Evaluation Team (IDE) is
coordinating and funding a number of community-based intervention
studies to assess the potential impact of several interventions on
the burden of malaria in Africa.
The Task Force On Home-Management is supporting studies in Ghana,
Nigeria, Uganda and Burkina Faso to look at the feasibility of
managing childhood uncomplicated malaria closer to home by
unit-dose prepackaging of antimalarials, appropriate labeling,
providing usable information to mothers and community outlets of
antimalarials and increased access to treatment. The Task Force on
Severe Malaria is embarked in the development of artesunate
suppositories for which development of the health education package
is likely to be in Zambia and Malawi and the Working Group on Drug
Resistance and Policies is coordinating trials with antimalarial
combinations in an attempt to delay the development of drug
resistance (Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania, Mali).
All of these studies require multi-disciplinary teams with
expertise in malaria, epidemiology, social/behavioral science
research, and intervention development and evaluation. To ensure
the success of these studies, and strengthen the research teams
carrying out these studies, TDR invites applications for the award
of Research Training Grants (RTGs).
Each of the research teams carrying out the above mentioned studies
has a senior social scientist who acts in an advisory role. TDR
would like to identify individuals in the countries where the
studies are being conducted who are interested in strengthening
their qualitative and quantitative social science research skills,
and willing to conduct field research as a member of one of the
research teams. Grant recipients would be enrolled in a Master's
degree programme in social sciences at a local university, and
receive close supervision and training from the senior social
scientist on the research team. The Grant will cover the University
tuition and other education fees, as well as a subsistence
allowance during participation in the project.
Who can apply?
Applicants should be nationals of the countries where the studies
are being conducted, and should have:
A university degree in the social or behavioural sciences
(anthropology, sociology, psychology, etc.)
3-5 years experience in public health, community services, or
community health research
Prior exposure to/experience with qualitative research methods
Currently registered in, or available to attend, a Master's
degree programme at a local university
Willingness and ability to conduct fieldwork as a member of
one of the research teams carrying out the TDR funded projects
How to Apply
Interested applicants should send an application letter, a detailed
Curriculum vitae, and indicate the Master's degree programme in
which they would like to enrol or are enrolled in. Applications
will be reviewed by a group of external advisors and the results
communicated to applicants in March 2000.
All applications must be received by 15 January 2000 at the
following address:
Mr Steven Wayling
Manager - Research Training Grants
Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases
World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Fax: (41-22) 791-4854
Further information
Additional information can be obtained from Dr Jane Kengeya-Kayondo
<[log in to unmask]> or Mr Steven Wayling <[log in to unmask]>.
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