Research Assistant (Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit)

We are seeking a Research Assistant for a 2-year-regular position (renewable) to work within the Epidemiology, Public Health, Impact Unit at the International Vaccine Institute in Seoul, Korea. (Duty station: Seoul, Korea)

Job Description

The incumbent is assisting the implementation of epidemiological and vaccine-related research. This role ensures smooth project execution through logistics coordination, resource management, and data handling, facilitating collaboration between study sites, researchers, and administrative teams. Additionally, the position contributes to data analysis, scientific reporting, and grant development while also providing strategic and administrative support to senior leadership, as needed. With a balance of research and operational responsibilities, the incumbent plays a crucial role in maintaining efficiency, data integrity, and compliance within research projects.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Support epidemiologic project research

• Assist principal investigator/project team on study design, project resource management and development of study protocols, forms, and standard operating and good clinical practice procedures in provision of technical guidance in the field
• Contribute to the planning and development of scientific agendas and presentations for workshops, trainings and international scientific meeting/conferences
• Ongoing verification of program-related and site-related documents, including protocols, informed consents, study forms, and scientific as well as financial reports, and visiting study sites to assess program progress, provide feedback and training, troubleshooting for scientific and technical issues, and assure capacity-building and compliance to project activities
• Assist in managing legal documents such as research agreements, memorandum of understandings, and service agreements for the assigned program areas
• Coordinate and monitor submission of project-related institutional review board (IRB)-documents as requested
• Prepare and review agenda for meeting requests in advance, work with DDG EPIC/supervisor and other related staff on information consolidation, content development, and meeting coordination

2. Assist Project resource, logistics and knowledge management

• Assist project team by accounting for activities of field workers on site to ensure proper implementation of study protocol and SOPs
• Identify unique or recurring issues inconsistent with study protocol
• Assess and address research topics related to study protocol and motivate field team to achieve high performance and results
• Assist PI in budget tracking, grant documentation, and financial reporting, supporting compliance with donor and institutional policies.
• Facilitate database sharing from field sites to data management team
• Monitor database cleaning and coding to ensure proper data is available for analysis
• Create and monitor Sharepoint site and GIS maps for data collection, sharing, analysis and collaboration
• Assist DDG EPIC/supervisor in project resource management efforts and follow-up with internal and external colleagues to ensure timelines and deadlines are adhered to.
• Handle confidential information in a professional and discrete manner.

3. Assist Publication

• Create reports for sharing results and assisting field evaluation and monitoring
• Analyze data for trends and associations for publication
• Contribute in drafting/editing/reviewing of scientific publications

4. Perform other tasks as assigned

Job Requirements and Qualifications

1. Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

2. Related Field Work Experience

• 0-1 years

3. Technical and Professional Skills / Knowledge

• Knowledge of data analysis programs
• Post-graduate training courses in Public Health/Epidemiology are preferred.

4. Key Competency

• Communication
• Planning & Organizing
• Commitment to Continuous Learning

5. Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English
• French/Korean is beneficial