Central co-Principal Investigator for an inpatient nutritional care trial (M/F)

Created by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 1986, Epicentre carries out field epidemiology, training and medical research in support of MSF's humanitarian objectives. We have 3 research centres in France, Niger and Uganda and epidemiologists on site. Our areas of expertise cover infectious diseases (malaria, TB, HIV, cholera, Ebola, etc.), neglected diseases (leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, etc.) and chronic diseases that are on the rise in African countries, such as diabetes and cancer. 

Mission : 

For decades, MSF has advanced care for children under 5 suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). In 2023, nearly 150,000 children with SAM were hospitalized in MSF Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding Centers (ITFCs), where they received stabilizing care and nutritional support.

MSF is currently in the early development phase of a project to improve inpatient nutritional care outcomes, by developing, assessing, advocating and enabling global access to a novel therapeutic milk for stabilization care, while also continuing to improve Quality of Care (QoC) in ITFCs.  

Epicentre will play a leading role in the research component of the project which involves assessing the safety and efficacy of the novel milk in a randomized clinical trial, sponsored by MSF.  

Epicentre is currently looking for a Central co-Principal Investigator (PI) to lead the collective trial preparation work.  

MSF is also recruiting in parallel a Project Director [link], please only apply to one of these two positions. 

As Central co-PI, you will be reporting to the Epicentre Research Director, working in close collaboration with another Central co-PI (working remotely part-time, mainly on product specifications) and supervising a Central trial team.  

Your main responsibilities will be to: 

• Coordinate collective protocol development (bibliography, coordination of study stakeholders, consultations and negotiations, early drafting and coordination of review, etc.)  

• Coordinate and contribute to literature review and scientific watch 

• Contribute to finalizing the trial design and methodology and to approve it (collegial decision) 

• Ensure participants’ safety incl. by overseeing a safety risk mitigation strategy and by ensuring integration of internal and external contributions on safety 
• Ensure alignment with WHO guidelines for data review afterwards 

• Oversee and approve trial related deliverables (patients’ material, trial SOPs, etc.) 
• Ensure scientific excellence, incl. by identifying and liaising with outside experts / collaborators for scientific oversight and constitution of a Scientific committee (collegial decision), and liaising with study team members, to reach consensus on the above 
• Coordinate submission of the final protocol to the relevant ethical and regulatory authorities and obtain all necessary approvals 

• Support all the aspects of the preparation of the trial implementation
• Contribute to the writing of legal documents (Research agreements, Material Transfer Agreement, etc.)  
• Contribute to the trial site(s) assessment  
• Support the Project Director in defining a monitoring plan for the QoC improvement 

• Coordinate networking with potential research partners (incl. academias) 

• Contribute to relations with institutional and regulatory stakeholders, especially WHO and UNICEF, and other external stakeholders (nutrition actors, donors, etc) through project development 

• Coordinate writing and editing of all scientific communications, contribute to development of other communication materials 

• Contribute to early publications with mixed authorship  

• Take an active part in the daily life of the Epicentre Research department 

This list of activities may evolve. Would the project and position be extended, other activities would be added throughout the trial development and implementation.

Education 

• Master or PhD in epidemiology or clinical research – essential 
• Medical Doctor or Nurse is a strong asset 
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training – essential  

Experience 

• At least 4 years proven successful experience in clinical research including trials, in resource-limited settings – essential  
• Successful proven experience in trial design and development – essential  
• Experience in inpatient care, especially in resource-limited settings – a strong asset  
• Background and knowledge of Pediatrics or Nutrition or Nursing Care – a strong asset  
• Experience in MSF Fields, especially in a nutrition project – a strong asset 

Knowledge and skills 

• Excellent command of research project development and team management – essential 
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership, excellent interpersonal skills, team spirit 
• Innovative mindset, for-purpose orientation 
• Ability to understand and adapt to a complex environment 
• Ability to provide support / contribute beyond their area of expertise
• Ability to lead multicultural teams, incl. some working remotely 
• Sense of responsibility, rigor 
• Ability to place people at the centre of all practice, engagement to create a safe environment  
• Excellent oral and written effective communication skills, diplomacy 
• Strong autonomy and organization skills, good meeting management 
• Proficiency to work with Microsoft Office suite in a collaborative fashion 
• Flexibility for occasional travelling, especially in potential trial sites 

Language

• Fluently spoken and written English (work mainly in English) – C1 or above - essential 
• Good level of French – B2 - an asset 

Specificity of the position

• Full-time, fixed-term contract; until end of December 2025
• Position preferably based in Paris, France, or relocated in another MSF office
• 25 paid vacation days + 22 additional leave days
• Start date: As soon as possible

Salary (€)

• Based on the Epicentre/MSF salary grid, paid in 13 months

Benefits

• Meal vouchers with value of €11, 60% covered by MSF
• 100% health insurance coverage
• 50% reimbursement of public transportation costs (applicable for positions based in Paris; otherwise, different conditions may be applied)

You will work with a multicultural team in the field of epidemiological research.
You will grow in a humanitarian environment.
Your contributions and ideas will be valued and greatly appreciated.
You will take part in the life of the organization, and your responsibilities will evolve based on your level of involvement.

To join us:
Please submit your application (CV + cover letter) no later than January 23, 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Epicentre is committed to protecting the personal data of its members, employees, and applicants. The data collected during this application process will be strictly shared with individuals involved in the recruitment process, ensuring fair and quality handling, regardless of the location of the Epicentre entity they belong to.

Note: Female candidates meeting the application criteria are strongly encouraged to apply.