Associate Professor Bio Informatics job at MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit
About the Organization
The MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit is an internationally recognized centre of excellence for research and training. The Unit was established in 1988 to improve the understanding and control of the HIV epidemic in Uganda and globally, following a request from the Uganda Government to the United Kingdom (UK) Government. After wide consultations, and in response to the changing public health landscape, Unit work has broadened beyond HIV to include other infections, neglected, endemic, emerging and re-emerging infections and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Job Description
The Unit is an internationally recognized center of excellence with dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research, social-behavioral research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council (MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Teaching and Mentorship
Course Development and Instruction:
Design and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in bioinformatics and related fields.
Prepare and update syllabi, lectures, assignments, and exams.
Utilize modern technologies and methodologies in teaching.
Student Supervision and Advising:
Mentor and supervise students on academic and research projects.
Provide guidance on course selection, research opportunities, and career development.
Graduate Student Supervision:
Guide Master's and Ph.D. students in their research, including project design, data analysis, and thesis/dissertation writing.
Participate in and often chair thesis and dissertation committees.
Research
Conduct Research:
Lead and conduct original research in bioinformatics or related areas.
Write and submit grant proposals to secure external funding.
Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
Collaborative Projects:
Work with colleagues within the department and across the university on interdisciplinary projects.
Keep up-to-date with the latest advancements in bioinformatics and integrate new knowledge into research and teaching.
Research Supervision:
Supervise research assistants, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty.
Create a dynamic and productive research environment.
Service
Departmental and University Service:
Participate in departmental and university committees.
Contribute to the development of departmental policies and programs.
Professional Service:
Serve on editorial boards and review manuscripts for academic journals.
Participate in grant review panels and engage with professional organizations.
Community Outreach:
Engage in public outreach and education activities.
Collaborate with industry and government on bioinformatics projects.
Administration
Program Development:
Assist in the development of new academic programs or courses.
Contribute to program accreditation and continuous improvement efforts.
Resource Management:
Manage lab resources, including budgets, equipment, and staff.
Ensure compliance with university policies and funding agency requirements.
Professional Development
Continual Learning:
Stay current with advancements in bioinformatics and pedagogical best practices.
Attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions.
Networking:
Build and maintain professional relationships for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Qualification, Experiences and Competencies
Educational Qualifications
Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related field.
A strong academic record with postdoctoral experience is often preferred.
Research Experience
Proven track record of research in bioinformatics:
Demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
Experience in securing research funding:
Successful grant applications and project management.
Teaching Experience
Experience in teaching bioinformatics or related courses:
Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver course content effectively.
Mentoring and advising experience:
Proven record of supervising undergraduate and graduate students.
Technical Skills
Proficiency in bioinformatics tools and software:
Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, R, or Perl.
Knowledge of computational methods and statistical analysis:
Experience with high-throughput data analysis and biological databases.
Professional Skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills:
Ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively.
Collaborative and interdisciplinary mindset:
Willingness to work across disciplines and with diverse teams.
Administrative and Leadership Abilities
Experience in academic administration:
Participation in departmental committees and program development.
Leadership in research and teaching:
Ability to lead research groups and contribute to the academic community
How to Apply
APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION MUST BE DONE ONLINE:
Are you interested? Click the "APPLY" button below to submit your application.