Junior Researcher in tuberculosis

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp is a leading independent academic centre for research and innovation, education, and clinical services in public health, global health and tropical medicine. Founded in 1906, ITM’s research today focuses on Disease Prevention, Control and Elimination, Emerging Infections and Outbreaks, and Sustainable and Equitable Health Systems, with antimicrobial resistance embedded across all research themes.

The Unit of Tuberculosis (TB), of the Department of Clinical Sciences at ITM, is looking for a motivated and talented junior researcher, with interest in TB research, to support the implementation and coordination of two international research consortia: ACT4KIDS-TB (EDCTP3, paediatric TB diagnostics, partners in South Africa, Kenya and Benin) and ComBaScale (Horizon Europe, stepped-wedge trial scaling up a CHW-delivered cardiovascular disease/HIV/TB care package in Lesotho). Both projects share important operational components, including consortium coordination, study monitoring, reporting and stakeholder engagement. You will be responsible for monitoring the implementation, in collaboration with consortium partners, and supported by the ITM consortium coordination of each project. You will be based in Belgium, and travel regularly to implementing countries.

Your responsibilities

Across both projects

• Support consortium coordination: meeting planning, minutes, follow-up on action points, track deliverables and milestones, technical and periodic reports to EDCTP/Horizon

• Support ethical and regulatory submissions and follow-up (protocol amendments, ICF updates, IRB/ethics committee correspondence)

• Support trial/study monitoring, tracking of informed consent processes, follow-up on EC/ethics approvals across sites, GCP-related documentation

• Support Advisory Board organisation (scientific + policy/regulatory/industry/advocacy components)

• Link up with work package leaders across both consortia to ensure coherence and follow-up

• Contribute to future grant writing (EDCTP, Horizon, ERC, FWO, or similar) – background, methods, impact sections, and Gantt/milestone tables as needed

ACT4KIDS-TB specific

• Liaison support with partner institutions in Benin (CNHPP/CHU-MEL) and South Africa (DTTC/SU)

• Follow-up on diagnostic study logistics and site-level coordination

ComBaScale specific

• Liaison support with partners in Lesotho (SolidarMed; Lesotho Ministry of Health)

• Support capacity-strengthening activities, including monitoring the progress of PhD and Master students across the consortium,

Profile

• Master's degree (MD, nursing, lab sciences MSc, public health MSc, or related).
  paediatric background is a plus but not required

• Experience working with research projects, preferably international/multi-country projects (experience in resource-limited settings is an asset)

• Demonstrated research project management / monitoring skills (being knowledgeable about TB is an asset)

• Experience with electronic data management systems (experience with RedCap is an asset)

• Interested in pursuing a TB-related PhD on a substudy embedded in one of the funded projects you'll help coordinate

• Interest in participating in educational/training activities

• Strong organizational, intercultural, and communication skills

• Excellent knowledge of English; working knowledge of French is an asset (or willing to learn fast)

• Available for short travel (up to 2 weeks) to South Africa, Benin, and Lesotho depending on project needs

• Able to work with short deadlines across two parallel projects; flexibility is key.

Our offer:

The Institute of Tropical Medicine is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. Through your role, you will contribute to ITM’s socially relevant mission. 

We highly value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity, and a critical mindset, with a strong focus on solidarity and collaboration. The wellbeing of our staff, students, patients, and clients is central to everything we do. 

We offer you:

• A full-time position (open to discussing a prorated part-time schedule (e.g., 0.8 FTE), especially for applicants with clinical activities), initial contract for a one-year period, with the intention to extend (funding is available for 4 years). Start date as soon as possible.

• A salary based on your relevant work experience. ITM applies the Hay job grading system. This position is classified in Hay scale 14, with a minimum gross monthly salary of €4,107.29. Your final salary will be determined within this salary scale based on your relevant work experience.

• A workplace in the heart of vibrant Antwerp, easily accessible by public transport.

• A salary package that takes your work experience into account, complemented by several extra-legal benefits: bicycle allowance and/or public transport subscription, meal vouchers, and supplementary pension.

• Possibility of working from home.