Posted on : June 25, 2025 Application deadline : July 12, 2025
Project Research Manager (Adv#73/2025)
icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. icddr,b as a values-based organization encourages women and people with disabilities.
Climate change poses a profound global challenge, and Bangladesh ranks among the countries most vulnerable to its multifaceted impacts. To address the intersection of climate stressors and human health, icddr,bโtogether with the Wellcome Sanger Institute (WSI)โhas established the icddr,b Centre for Climate Change and Health (iCCH) at its Chakaria campus. A flagship project, iCCH will investigate how prolonged exposure to climate-driven environmental changesโparticularly salinity intrusionโmodulates the gut microbiome (the diverse community of bacteria, viruses, fungi and archaea inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract) and contributes to the rising incidence of gastrointestinal diseases, miscarriage and preterm birth in coastal populations. By integrating longitudinal surveys with systematic collection of stool and environmental samples through the Chakaria Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), the study aims to characterize microbial shifts, identify pathogenic taxa, and elucidate mechanistic links between altered microbial ecosystems and adverse health outcomes.
This position will support iCCHโs activities under the Wellcome Trustโfunded project, โMeasuring the Global Impact of Climate Change on Human Health from a Local Sentinel Site.โ A state-of-the-art microbiology laboratory at the Chakaria campus is fully equipped to process and analyse both biological (stool) and environmental (e.g., water and soil) specimens. In collaboration with WSI, researchers will employ high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines to map microbial community structure and function, assess correlations with clinical endpoints, and test hypotheses on how salinity and other climate stressors drive dysbiosis. Beyond its immediate research objectives, iCCH will foster multidisciplinary partnerships and invest in intensive capacity-building workshops for laboratory and field staff, thereby laying the groundwork for future climate-health investigations and enabling Bangladesh to contribute robust, locally grounded evidence to global adaptation strategies. The iCCH platform will create scope for exciting future research collaborations.
Key responsibilities:
The Project Research Manager will play a central role in the implementation of the iCCH project, based at the Chakaria campus. Reporting directly to the Senior Scientist (PI), the Project Research Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day planning, coordination, and oversight of both field and laboratory components of the project. This role is essential in ensuring seamless operations across multiple workstreams, including microbiological sample processing, field data collection, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will be expected to foster collaboration between icddr,b, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and other project partners, contributing to the broader vision of building a robust platform for climate and health research in Bangladesh. Key responsibilities of the Project Research Manager include:
Project Implementation and Operational Oversight: Lead the execution of project activities, ensuring adherence to approved protocols, timelines, and quality standards. Coordinate operational workflows between the field and laboratory teams to support integrated project delivery. Laboratory Management: Oversee the setup and day-to-day functioning of the fully equipped molecular lab at iCCH. Ensure laboratory protocols and SOPs are properly maintained and implemented, particularly for the handling of biological (stool) and environmental (water) samples. Field Team Supervision and Coordination: Manage and support field staff, including work planning, task allocation, training, and performance monitoring. Ensure high-quality data and sample collection from participants within the Chakaria HDSS area. Community and Participant Engagement: Develop and implement a robust community engagement strategy to encourage household and population-level participation. Maintain respectful, ethical, and productive relationships with community stakeholders to foster trust and collaboration. Collaboration and Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the key liaison among icddr,b (Dhaka office), the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and other collaborators such as the Molecular Ecology and Metagenomics (MEM) Laboratory. Facilitate effective and timely communication to support collaborative planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting: Establish and maintain project monitoring systems to track implementation progress, identify challenges, and support adaptive learning. Prepare and deliver periodic progress reports and updates to the PI and funding partners as required. Training and Capacity Building: Coordinate and deliver training programs for field and laboratory personnel to build capacity in climate and microbial health research. Foster a learning environment that supports continuous skill development and professional growth. Biosafety, Ethics, and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all project activities comply with icddr,b's guidelines on biosafety, research ethics, and data protection. Oversee ethical handling, storage, and shipment of biological samples to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance. Risk Management and Problem Solving: Proactively identify operational risks and field-level challenges. Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to ensure project continuity and integrity.Required qualifications and experience:
MBBS or Master's degree in public health/medical sciences/biological sciences with strong academic credentials.
An advanced degree in biosafety and bioethics, sample collection, storage, transportation, and processing of biological and stool samples is desired but not mandatory. A minimum of 5 to 8 years of experience in field management, laboratory management, biobanking, or biospecimen science and project implementation is advantageous. Candidates directly involved in climate change and health-related projects will have an added advantage.Location: icddr,b Centre for Climate-Change and Health (iCCH) in Chakaria, Coxโs Bazar.
Contract Type and Duration:
Fixed Term Agreement; duration will be 01 year with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and performance. Salary & benefits:Annual Tk. 19,82,790 inclusive of house rent, conveyance, and other admissible benefits; 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.1,917/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance, and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.
Notes of attention:
Only short-listed candidates shall be invited for written test /interview icddr,b does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.Interested candidates who fulfil the requirements should submit online applications using the icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by July 12, 2025.