TDR Research Training Grants in Social Science, 01/00

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
<kengeyakayondoj@who.ch or Mr Steven Wayling <waylings@who.ch.

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