REACH Position Opening

Post Doctoral Fellow, Research Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS (REACH)

The Research Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS (REACH) is a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded project awarded to Northwestern University in January 2006 to conduct research on HIV prevention in several communities in Nigeria. The project involves collaboration with researchers in Nigeria, particularly at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. As part of this project, extensive field work including cross-sectional surveys, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and key-informant interviews will be conducted to enhance understanding of the factors driving/preventing HIV infection in Nigerian communities, and of the type of prevention messages and interventions that can effectively reduce infection rates.  The overall goal of the research will be to: a) Conduct collaborative research intended to develop more effective strategies and approaches to curbing HIV transmission in Nigeria, b) increase the quantity and quality of usable information for policymakers, practitioners, activists, and communities on the factors driving HIV transmission in several Nigerian communities, and c) contribute to the design of more effective prevention strategies. REACH is distinguished by a social science-led and community-based approach.

The Post doctoral fellow, while hired by Northwestern University, will be a member of the REACH research team based in Nigeria and will work closely with the REACH team in Nigeria. The post doc will report to the REACH Associate Project Director at Northwestern University, will be based in Ibadan, and will travel to REACH field sites throughout Nigeria. There will also be opportunities to conduct individual research that coincide with REACH objectives.

Essential duties

• Together with REACH team members, supervise administration of field surveys, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, as necessary

• Together with the Senior Principal Researchers, responsibility for the quality of data collection conducted by the Nigeria data collection field team, particularly for longitudinal case study and focus group discussions; includes careful review of entered surveys, field notes/transcripts and training of field staff
• Generation and/or oversight of regular summary and analytical reports of qualitative interviews of the field team
• Development and maintenance of good working relations with REACH staff, officials, and other key stakeholders throughout study sites
• Participation in the creation of methodological tools for qualitative analysis, including tools for focus group discussions and key informant interviews with study participants
• Participation in the creation of methodological tools for quantitative analysis, including tools for survey interviews with study participants
• Involvement in qualitative and quantitative data analysis based on data generated by the Nigeria field team; including but not limited to coding tree development, coding of field notes and transcripts
• Role in drafting and submitting academic manuscripts
• Active participation in REACH research team meetings
• Working closely with the REACH Manager in Ibadan, and responsibility for ensuring that all REACH financial transactions in Nigeria are conducted in strict conformity with program guidelines and procedures

• Other duties as deemed necessary by the REACH Project Director and Associate Project Director at Northwestern University

Experience and training

• Ph.D. in social sciences, public health, social work, or allied field
• Training in qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Experience conducting ethnographic research in Nigeria or similar environment
• Substantial familiarity with, and understanding of, advanced research on  HIV/AIDS
• Experience in collaborative, team-oriented research

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work promptly and efficiently, multi-task, accommodate last minute changes effectively, and cope with the pressures of operating in a challenging social environment
• Proficiency in training, managing, and supporting field research staff

• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Capacity to be firm yet diplomatic essential

• Strong team player

For information on financial and other terms of service, please contact Nkem Dike at n-dike@northwestern.edu or 847-467-2004. A letter of application should be sent by email or mail to Ms. Dike together with the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three referees. Mailing address: Ms. Nkem Dike, REACH Associate Project Director, 620 Library Place, Northwestern University. Evanston, IL. 60208. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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