Research Assistant
About the Company
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) is one of the leading public health education and research institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa and the first university in East Africa to offer degrees in public health. It is part of the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (established 1922) and is ranked among the top research universities in Africa. Vision: To be a leader in public health training and knowledge generation for societal transformation. Mission: To promote the attainment of better health for the people of Uganda and beyond through public health training, research and community service.
MakSPH has three core mandates: 1) Training, 2) Conducting Research, and 3) Community Service. It hosts four departments: Health Policy, Planning and Management; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Disease Control and Environmental Health; and Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, with over 93 academic staff, 300 project staff and 8 district field training sites. The School has a long track record in population-based research, clinical trials, demographic surveillance (Iganga/Mayuge DSS), and national surveys, producing ~200 peer-reviewed publications annually and partnering with the Ministry of Health, CDC, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and US Government agencies.
For this role, MakSPH – in partnership with San Diego State University and the Makerere University Walter Reed Program – is implementing Kisoboka II, an NIH-funded five-year study on reducing hazardous alcohol use and optimising treatment as prevention among men living with HIV in fishing communities. This is an excellent opportunity for research professionals passionate about field epidemiology, HIV prevention and community-based research to gain hands-on experience in a well-established, high-impact research platform.
Job Details
Background: Makerere University School of Public Health, in partnership with San Diego State University and the Makerere University Walter Reed Program, is implementing Kisoboka II, an NIH-funded five-year study on reducing hazardous alcohol use and optimising treatment as prevention among men living with HIV in fishing communities.
Role Summary: To support participant recruitment and follow-up data collection, including interviews, blood sample collection and handling, while ensuring high-quality, ethical and protocol-compliant research implementation.
Duty Station / Location: Field-based in fishing communities within the Kisoboka II study districts of Nakasongola, Buikwe, Mukono, Kayunga and Buvuma. Applicants must be willing to relocate between field sites and travel to islands when required. 📍 Field sites + coordination at New Mulago Hill Road, Mulago, Kampala, Uganda.
Duration / Contract: One-year appointment, renewable subject to satisfactory performance. The role will run for the follow-up data-collection period, anticipated to last approximately two years, and will end upon completion of follow-up data collection.
Reporting Line: Project Manager.
Work Mode: Full-time, field-based, with occasional work outside official hours and travel to islands.
Number of Positions: 3
Application Link: Apply Now
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Recruit, screen and obtain informed consent from eligible study participants.
- Collect, prepare, document and coordinate transport of blood samples in line with study protocols.
- Conduct interviews and follow-up data collection using tablet/phone-based platforms while ensuring data quality and confidentiality.
- Maintain study records, participant identifiers, data-collection tools, supplies and equipment.
- Prepare daily field updates and reports; participate in training, debrief and review meetings.
- Support community mobilisation, distribute participant incentives, and comply with study protocols, ethics and confidentiality requirements.
- Ensure high-quality, ethical and protocol-compliant research implementation at all times.
- Perform other duties assigned by the Project Manager.
Qualifications, Skills and Requirements
- Bachelor's degree, diploma or equivalent qualification, with training in phlebotomy.
- At least two years' research-assistant experience in quantitative health or psychosocial data collection.
- Proficiency in ODK, Kobo Collect or similar tablet- or phone-based data-collection platforms.
- Fluency in Luganda and English, with strong communication, data-quality and confidentiality skills.
- Experience in fishing-community or health research, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) or Human Subjects Protection certification, are added advantages.
- Willingness to work in field settings, relocate or travel to islands, and occasionally work outside official hours.
- Strong ethics, attention to detail, and ability to handle blood samples and participant data per protocol.
Application Procedure
- Complete the online application form via the official careers portal: Apply Now
- Upload a cover letter, updated curriculum vitae (CV) and supporting documents through the form.
- Address the cover letter to The Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health.
- In the cover letter, clearly state the position applied for (Research Assistant - Kisoboka II), explain your suitability, and provide two referees with their contact details.
- Ensure all attachments are uploaded before submitting - only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Deadline for submission is 24 September 2026.
- For full advert details, visit: Apply Now
Job Summary
- Job Category: Research, Healthcare
- Job Type: Full-time
- Duty Station: Field-based in fishing communities within Nakasongola, Buikwe, Mukono, Kayunga and Buvuma (with relocation and island travel) 📍
- Date Posted: 11 September 2026
- No of Positions: 3
- Deadline of this Job: 24 September 2026
- Application Link: Apply Now
- Location pin: 📍 New Mulago Hill Road, Mulago, Kampala, Uganda (Administrative HQ) | Field Sites: Nakasongola, Buikwe, Mukono, Kayunga, Buvuma fishing communities, Uganda