Professor Health Policy

24 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM)

Department

Department of Public Health

Research Field

Medical sciences
Political sciences
Sociology

Researcher Profile

Leading Researcher (R4)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

1 Mar 2024 - 01:00 (Africa/Abidjan)

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Professor Health Policy

Department of Public Health

Introduction

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp aims at the advancement and spread of science that contributes to infectious disease medicine and to public health globally with a focus on low- and middle-income countries, inclusive of their global dimensions. ITM provides fundamental, translational and applied scientific research, delivers advanced education and provides medical, scientific and societal expert services. The ITM is an open and international campus where staff, students and researchers work on new international health challenges.

ITM’s Department of Clinical Sciences strives for optimal diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tropical and globalized infectious diseases. The department has long-standing well-recognised expertise in working with both epidemic and endemic infectious diseases in limited resource settings and in the conduct of clinical trials of treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics, supported by the ITM Clinical Trials Unit, and a newly established Clinical Trials Centre. We host the national reference laboratory for the diagnosis of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, an AIDS reference laboratory and several national reference centres including for Arboviruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections. The ITM clinic sees over 20,000 travellers a year. The ITM clinical reference laboratory, supporting the clinic, covers the diagnosis of viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens.

The thriving and multidisciplinary Unit of Tropical Bacteriology, currently consisting of nine people, covers the entire academic triad (research, education, capacity strengthening). In terms of education, the unit leads an antimicrobial resistance short course (AIM) and the Field lab preparedness training, and supports various other courses within the institute and external partners. A wide range of educational material is made freely available (https://labhub.itg.be/ ).

In terms of scientific capacity building, a blood-culture AMR surveillance network has been set-up in hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, DRC, Mozambique, Ethiopia, …), Peru and Cambodia. This also constitutes the back-bone for joint research activities with the various partners.

The core of the operational research activities is focused on the surveillance of AMR and innovations in diagnostic bacteriology in hospital settings in resource-limited settings. Other research lines cover diagnosis, treatment and epidemiology of non-typhoid salmonellosis, and vaccination studies in limited resource settings.

Key partners or funders include FIND, WHO, EDCTP, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MSF.

With the retirement of the current professor approaching, the department is opening up a position for a professor in Tropical Bacteriology. This position encompasses the classical academic triad of research, education and service delivery.

Your Role

• Develop and lead a comprehensive portfolio of innovative research, education, capacity building and policy support in the field of Health Policy, with specific attention to the interconnectedness of international and national health policies and systems.
• Strengthen the Unit’s research portfolio, by attracting external funding, developing/joining international research partnerships, attracting PhD students and increasing the international reputation and visibility of ITM’s work in this academic field.
• Provide, through the unit’s and your own expertise, expert advice to relevant national and international stakeholders, particularly but not exclusively the Belgian Development Cooperation (DGD).
• (Co)lead or (co)teach modules and short courses on health policy and related topics within ITM, and contribute to the adaptation of teaching curricula as required.
• Maintain and expand the Unit’s and ITM’s international partnerships with like-minded networks and institutions, for mutual learning, capacity strengthening and policy impact.
• Lead the Unit and ensure its scientific activities and management, including the budgetary responsibility.
• Depending on your seniority, you will coach/mentor or advise/support the members of the unit. You will foster a collaborative and creative environment in which senior researchers are encouraged to develop their own research lines, and to invest in project writing and in teaching.
• Ensure complementarity and synergies with the other units in the Department of Public Health, particularly but not exclusively with the Pharmaceutical Public Health unit; and you will strive for interdepartmental collaboration in research, education and capacity strengthening
• Promote and contribute to the strategic vision of the department and institutional policy and contribute to relevant ITM commitees.
• You report to the Head of the Public Health Department.

Requirements

Research Field

Medical sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Sociology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Ethics in health sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Political sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Profile/Requirements

• A solid background in medicine, biomedical sciences, public health, social sciences or another relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in global health, health policy and systems.
• Passionate about international health policies, health system governance and policy research, and able to tackle important emerging themes in global health from a health policy perspective.
• A PhD in a relevant research domain.
• At least 10 years of working experience in the field of health policy and health systems, including in resource-limited contexts.
• A proven reputation and access to international networks in the field of public health and health policy.
• A collaborative spirit to foster interdisciplinary interactions.
• A track record of successful high-level competitive grant writing and obtaining funding, experienced as leading project principal investigator.
• Well developed skills and experience in teaching and coaching/mentoring at post-graduate and doctoral level.
• Excellent leadership and people management qualities that inspire and motivate people around you (intern/extern), with focus on inclusiveness and empowerment.
• Outstanding overall (and scientific) communication skills, strong intercultural competences.
• Solid experience/skills in planning, project- and budget management.
• Fluent in English and preferably also in French, both in writing and speaking. Active knowledge of Dutch is desirable. If you do not have these skills, willingness to acquire working level of Dutch is requested. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.
• Genuine alignment with ITM values.     

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Medical sciencesPolitical sciencesSociology

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information
Benefits

The Institute of Tropical Medicine is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to the socially relevant mission of the ITM. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients.

• A full-time appointment. Depending on your track record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: associate professor, professor or full professor.
• A salary package depending on your profile and professional experience, and supplementary benefits, such as private pension scheme, meal voucher subscription and reimbursement of 3 transport. For candidates eligible for expat status under Belgian fiscal law, relocation, cost of living and other allowances can apply.
• An attractive research starting grant to cover initial personnel and working costs.
• An immigration and relocation assistance package.
• A collegial research environment and mentorship with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development.
• Based in the vibrant city of Antwerp, Belgium.

Eligibility criteria

Excited about this position?

For more information about this position, please contact HR ([email protected] ).

Apply via the link on the ITM’s website before March 1st , 2024.

We ask you to add you CV and motivation letter.

Website for additional job details

https://www.itg.be/en/jobs-and-research-opportunities/professor-of-health-policy

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde

Country

Belgium

City

Antwerp

Postal Code

2000

Street

Nationalestraat 155

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.itg.be/en/jobs-and-research-opportunities/professor-of-health-policy

Contact

City

Antwerpen

Website

https://www.itg.be/en/jobs-and-research-opportunities/professor-of-health-policy

Street

Nationalestraat 155

Postal Code

2000

E-Mail

[email protected]

Phone

+32333455860

STATUS: EXPIRED