Research Assistants ( 2 positions on contract 4.5 years)

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in nutrition or dietetics or related biological science

Duties

The postholder will be responsible for:

• Conducting research under the supervision of the Lead Investigator including:

1. Pragmatic adaptation of Intake24 through the development of the Malawi Nutrient Databank

2. Portion estimation compilation and validation studies

3. Intake24_Malawi validation studies using the online tool and urinary biomarkers of dietary intake

4. Participate in planning, data collection and analysis of the Malawi Nutrition Survey.

• Contribute to the writing of papers for publication in leading academic journals and other relevant media

• Disseminate nutrition research findings through participation in national and international conferences.

• Collaborate with colleagues within the public health nutrition unit, wider Intake24_Malawi consortium and the University in the development of original research

• Proactively engage with continuing professional development. This could be achieved through a combination of undertaking new activities and roles, as well as self-development through attending training courses, seminars, conferences, and/or personal study and reading.

• Liaise with industry partners external to the University

• Assist in supervising the work of project students and support staff

• Participate in School promotion and recruitment initiatives such as Open Days and Visit Days

• Participate in project team, Department or school-level meetings

Undertake project-related administration such as organising regular project meetings, departmental presentations or seminars 

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Skills required

• Ability to coordinate human studies

• Ability to collate, analyse and interpret evidence and complex data from diverse types of sources

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent computer skills

• Excellent time management and organisational skills

Knowledge

• Nutrition

• Dietary assessment tools and methods

• Data analysis using R, Stata or Python

Experience

• Experience working in the field

• Experience working in human studies

• Experience in supervising students

• Statistical analyses

• Ability to present at conferences

• Report writing

• Dietary assessment experience

• Report writing

• Use of social media for the dissemination of research activities

• Experience in handling and statistical analysis of large datasets

Disposition

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team

• Self-motivated

Applications including a detailed CV, copies of certificates and names of three traceable referees should be submitted not later than 19^th September 2025 to the address below:

The Registrar

University of Malawi

P.O. Box 280

Zomba

Malawi 

Or

E-mail: vacancies@unima.ac.mw