Call for Application for Masters Students to Conduct Research within the NORA Research Project at the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN)

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is a leading and reputable non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and cancer through the provision of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, and care and support services.

Applications are invited for: 

Title: Call for Application for Masters Students to Conduct Research within the NORA Research Project

Location: Nigeria

About the project

• Cancer causes an estimated 533,000 deaths in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) annually. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common in the SSA, making women the more disproportionately affected demographic.
• The biggest challenges to cancer care in this region are the lack of sufficient data, implementation, monitoring, challenges to comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and multi-level cancer care at all levels of the health system.
• The widely established benchmark indicators of adequate care are screening uptake, stage at presentation, time to diagnosis, and referral to treatment. Applied research aimed at substantially contributing to decreasing mortality must address key variables along the continuum of care such as, what is the pattern of cancer incidence, cancer stage, cancer survival and how does it change over time? How can the demand for cancer screening in rural and urban communities be increased? How can cancer care be successfully integrated in decentral primary care settings? How can hospital-based cancer registries help trace patient journeys and support standardized treatment referral within a resource constrained setting.
• The overall goal of the Network for Oncology Research in Africa (NORA) is to contribute to reducing mortality of Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer in partner countries (Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia and Tanzania) that are part of the NORA consortium. NORA is set to carry out research which establishes evidence-based breast cancer, cervical cancer screening, and treatment pathways applicable in SSA.
• The research also seeks to generate policy recommendations for effective cancer control strategies.
• Ultimately, the goal of NORA is to contribute to a significant reduction in breast cancer and cervical cancer mortality in Africa.

In addition, NORA provides the following:

• A platform for academics and young scientists with comprehensive methodological and management competencies, enabling them to take on long-term applied research within the framework of national strategies.
• An advanced mentoring concept which gives scientists confidence to develop their individual research profiles.
• Intensive networking and participation in scientific events geared towards fostering a community of practice, aimed at shaping the African research agenda, and adapting it to population needs.

Requirements for selection

• The project involves capacity building for scientists in the field of cancer research and is therefore offering opportunities for master’s students in target research themes along the cancer care continuum to develop their research, leadership skills and future independent research careers.

Master Students interested in applying are expected to have:

• A first degree in relevant health sciences
• Must be newly enrolled (Not more than one month) in a master’s degree program in Nigeria, within the field of epidemiology, public health, or implementation sciences for themes related to public health.
• Master’s degree course/research area is closely related with cancer research and willing to conduct research in the following areas as part of master’s dissertation/thesis.
• RT 1:1 Cancer registration, screening and surveillance 
• RT 3.3: Needs analysis and design of breast cancer primary clinic screening strategy; and the piloting, refining, and evaluation of selected implementation strategies at two primary health clinics in FCT
• RT 3.4: Cervical cancer screening/triaging of patients to therapy
• Research experience will be an added advantage.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Language requirement: Fluency in English and Hausa (written and spoken).
• Interest in cancer research and a commitment to a career path in cancer epidemiology and cancer-related research-training.
• Enrolled in a Masters training programme in a recognized training institution in Nigeria prior to application (Not more than six months into the second semester, having completed or being in the process of completing their coursework, but to finalize a topic for their thesis)
• Willingness to centre thesis around the NORA research areas of cancer registration, breast and cervical cancer
• Time and willingness to participate in team activities such as data collection, abstract writing, team meeting, scheduled PowerPoint presentations on progress updates and attendance of consortium meetings.
• Possess relevant skills/qualities such as punctuality, leadership, teamwork, communication and creativity.
• Based in the FCT

About the employment offer
The project will provide successful candidates with the following:  

• Stipend as per the project scale for successful candidates
• Research project support and 50% tuition coverage
• Multidisciplinary mentoring and capacity building across the consortium universities and centers 
• Possible covering of additional training cost and travel support 

Application Closing Date
18th December, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Application to "the Assistant Director, Human Resources" via: [email protected] using the Title as the subject of the mail.

The application should contain the following:

• Updated academic CV with publications (if any) relevant to your application.
• Application letter stating reasons for application and why you are eligible for the role.
• A Personal statement stating the following:
• Description of relevant professional achievements and related experience
• Motivation for application
• Research interests
• Career goals, future growth and career advancement based on this fellowship opportunity.
• A 3–5-page research concept with background, hypothesis/research question, objectives, methods and reference.
• Also include a summary not exceeding 350 words with introduction/background, objective, method and expected result.
• Two academic reference (supporting) letters.