Research Fellow (Social Science) - Public Health Foundation of India (Apply by: 30 May 2014)

Position Vacant : Research Fellow (Social Science)

Position Code : PHFI/2014/105

Place of Posting : Gurgaon, Haryana

Organization Name : Public Health Foundation of India

Public Health Foundation of India, is a public private initiative that has collaboratively evolved through consultations with multiple constituencies including Indian and international academia,
state and central governments, multi & bi-lateral agencies and civil society groups. PHFI is a response to redress the limited institutional capacity in India for strengthening training, research and policy development in the area of Public Health.

Structured as an independent foundation, PHFI adopts a broad, integrative approach to public health, tailoring its endeavours to Indian conditions and bearing relevance to countries facing similar challenges and concerns. The PHFI focuses on broad dimensions of public health that encompass promotive, preventive and therapeutic services, many of which are frequently lost sight of in policy planning as well as in popular understanding.

The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, launched PHFI on March 28, 2006 at New Delhi. PHFI recognizes the fact that meeting the shortfall of health professionals is imperative to a sustained and holistic response to the public health concerns in the country which in turn requires health care to be addressed not only from the scientific perspective of what works, but also from the social perspective of, who needs it the most.

Project Brief:

m-WELLCARE is a cluster randomized trial for an integrated mHealth system for the prevention and care of chronic diseases. The project is funded by Wellcome Trust, UK. Primary goal of the project is to develop and evaluate an innovative mobile phone enabled software application – m-WELLCARE - for patients with hypertension and diabetes, in two states in India, Haryana and Tamil Nadu (North and South India), using MRC framework for evaluation of complex interventions. m-WELLCARE will assess risk factors for diabetes, hypertension, alcohol use and common mental disorders, provide decision support for tailored clinical care and follow up of these patients. Our ultimate goal is to prevent and provide better clinical care for chronic conditions in primary care settings using scalable, cost-effective mHealth technology.

Job Description / Responsibilities:

· Assist in design, analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data in the context of mWellcare trial.

· Undertake background or literature reviews and interpretation of scientific evidence related to mHealth, chronic disease, health systems etc.

· Assisting in design and pilot testing of data collection instruments.

· Carrying out specific aspects of research in terms of data collection, data entry, data management and data analysis.

· Supporting ongoing research projects at PHFI where ever needed.

· Liaison with other researchers in the Chronic Disease Network, nationally and internationally.

· Assistance in writing scientific papers and reports.

· Undertaking appropriate training in methods, seminars, conferences and workshops related to the scope of projects and activities.

· Leading journal club and/or other sessions/presentations on topics related to the scope of work.

Qualifications / Experience required

· A post graduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. social sciences, medical anthropology etc)

· Experience of conducting health-related research.

· Experience of preparing reports, scientific papers and presentations.

· Publications in journals is desirable.

· Strong verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills

· Strong Computer skills including proficiency in use of Microsoft office.

· Knowledge of statistical software is desirable.

· 1-2 years of experience in health research, preferably clinical trials would be an advantage.

Interested and eligible candidates may send in their CV to by highlighting the Position Code (PHFI/2014/105) in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview.

Last Date for receipt of applications: 30 May 2014