Research Fellow / SRF

Job content

This intervention trial will evaluate the efficacy of daily consumption of micronutrient fortified rice (fortified with iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid) in 6- 11- year- old school going children and their mothers with iron deficiency. The study will be implemented in Koppal district of Karnataka (500 kms from Bangalore) over a period of two years to ascertain the effect of micronutrient fortified rice in improving iron stores, micronutrient status and reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency. SJRI research staff will travel every fortnight to the study site (Koppal) and interact with the field staff to monitor progress on all aspects based on set time points as per standardized operational protocols and guidelines to collect, update and finalize required data via detailed interviews, screen and select children for randomization, oversee monthly household distribution of micronutrient fortified rice, collection, analysis and storage of blood biochemistry, dietary recalls, anthropometry, monitoring of adverse events, record monthly consumption and compliance. This study will provide an understanding to the local acceptability of the fortified rice along with vital data on the safety and stability aspects of the micronutrient fortified rice which will be crucial for policy decisions prior to large scale distribution of fortified rice through national and state programs. Core Responsibilities:

Carry out specific tasks such as dietary recall in the selected household, acceptability studies, preliminary testing and logistic coordination of the delivery of rice bags to the households

Ability to interview persons in individual as well as group setting

Coordinate recruitment of study subjects, data collection and follow up of study subjects

Interact with the households on a weekly basis through phone calls to the mother to enquire for any problems that she may have faced

Channelizing the study protocol with other team members for completion of various study milestones

Reporting day- to- day activities to the study PI/ Project Manager

SRF will be responsible for generating weekly reports and sharing it with the study PI/ Project Manager

Ability to create and maintain database

Ability to transcribe in Kannada as well as English and perform translations within language

Should be prepared to travel to community settings Key Skills:

Willing to learn newer techniques

Basic knowledge on conducting clinical research trial

Follow up and data recording

Fluency and proficiency in Kannada and English. Ability to interact with a wide variety of people and professionals on an individual basis as well as in a group setting

Highly organized and detail oriented.

Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule

Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player

Basic data analysis and reporting experience (Microsoft Excel/ Word)

Active involvement in the ongoing project work

In addition, you may be called upon to assume responsibility and undertake specific activities not stated above, but within the mandate of this job, based on greater clarity of the requirements that emerges with time and associated with any revision of the Institute / Project s procedures