Research Fellow-Country Engagement and Health Systems (Pathogen genomics)

Job Description

Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative, Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, Duke-NUS Medical School

The Duke–NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (COP) works to strengthen communicable disease preparedness and response capacity across South and Southeast Asia. COP hosts the Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Asia PGI), a regional network supporting 15 countries to strengthen pathogen genomics surveillance, data use and translation for public health action. Key workstreams include drug-resistant tuberculosis, wastewater surveillance and arboviral disease. COP is recruiting a Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow (Country Engagement and Health Systems) to facilitate various workstreams, linking country partners to scientific and technical teams in Singapore.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Serve as primary regional liaison between COP’s country partners and the scientific and technical teams in Singapore.
• Support the design and implementation of country-level pathogen genomics surveillance strengthening programmes on areas such as but not limited to tuberculosis, wastewater surveillance and arboviral disease.
• Coordinate cross-country technical activities across COP workstreams, working with regional and country partners such as Ministry of Health, national public health institutes and research partners.
• Support and facilitate regional and country level convenings, workshops or training activities on pathogen genomics.
• Represent COP and Asia PGI in engagements with regional and global development partners, maintaining relationships with high profile government, academic, industry and NGO stakeholders.
• Translate technical and scientific findings from pathogen genomics surveillance into clear, actionable recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders, supporting research to policy translation at country level.
• Contribute to writing and preparation of scientific manuscripts, grant proposals and reporting, project management, ethics submissions.
• Perform other related duties incidental to work described, including occasional administrative and coordination activities.

Qualifications

• A combined Medical and Masters (or equivalent clinical and public health qualification) or PhD equivalent qualification in a relevant field such as epidemiology, public health, communicable disease control or a closely related discipline.
• At least 3 years of post-degree experience supporting health systems research and development programming with governments and academic partners in Asia.
• Able to maintain a professional demeanour and high level of comfort working with high profile stakeholders from government, industry, academia, NGOs and multilateral organisations.
• Possess strong project management, coordination and analytical skills, with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Possess strong written and communication skills in academic and general writing, presentation, team communication and engagement of stakeholders.
• Track record of applied research outputs, technical delivery, and effective communication with academic, public health and technical stakeholders, commensurate with appointment level.
• Familiarity in pathogen genomics, infectious disease surveillance, public health systems or AI-enabled tools is an advantage.
• Experience working in the Asian region and on wastewater surveillance, tuberculosis and/or arboviral disease areas preferred.

Candidates with substantial applied research/practice experience and evidence of teaching, mentorship or capacity development may be considered for faculty position in the School.