The SOCIALAB project aims at examining how organizational, political, sociocultural and historical factors shape the views of health policymakers and others regarding medical laboratories and how they influence the organization, service delivery and success of current interventions to upscale laboratories in health facilities in West Africa. The programme will use a transdisciplinary approach linking Dutch, Malian and French research institutions with local stakeholders to understand the underutilization of laboratory tests in antenatal care (ANC) in three countries of West Africa.
The project is designed to create strong synergy between the anthropology and the laboratory science research conducted by two postdocs in the respective disciplines.
The anthropological sub-project will consist of three main parts:
1. Historical-ethnographic research with past and present policymakers and other key stakeholders and experts aimed at developing an understanding of the sociocultural and historical influences that have determined current policy relating to diagnostic laboratories in West Africa
2. Ethnographic exploration of the views, perceptions and behaviours of different categories of health workers relating to a) the importance of laboratory diagnostics, and b) their own work and social status.
3. Ethnographic exploration of antenatal care related treatment-seeking behavior of women attending ANC clinics, and perceptions of ANC services and laboratory testing
A two-year post doctoral position based in the Netherlands at the University of Amsterdam and falling under SSGH and AIGHD is available. In the event of relocation in Amsterdam, the costs will be under the responsibility of the applicant. The project will be led by Prof Robert Pool at SSGH and Dr Pascale Ondoa at AIGHD in close collaboration with the Malian and French partners. Research in clinics, laboratories and the community will take place in Senegal. Research on policy makers will take place in Senegal, Burkina Faso and possibly Mali (depending on the status of international travel advice). The work will involve preparation, literature research and protocol design in Amsterdam, followed by 12-18 months of fieldwork mainly in Senegal, and a final period of analysis and writing up of results in Amsterdam.
Key Responsibilities
• Contribute to scientific project management
• Ensure that research is conducted within time line and with a high level of quality
• Organize anthropological investigations in synergy with the biomedical activities on the field
• Ensure the link between AIGHD and SSGH
• Train and supervise junior researchers on the field.
• Regularly report to the scientific supervisors
• Write up scientific results
• Contribute to fund raising to expand the activities of the project
Requirements
• A PhD in anthropology or a related discipline
• Experience in ethnographic/qualitative research in Africa, preferably West Africa
• Experience in working in a multicultural environment
• An interest in health care and health services in Africa
• Willingness and ability to carry out long-term ethnographic research in West Africa
• Good publication record.
DESIRABLE
• Experience working with medical researchers in multidisciplinary settings
• Experience with health-related research
• Familiarity with West Africa, its history and its health sector
• A published ethnography
• Teaching experience
Skills and Abilities
• Ability to work independently
• Fluent in French and English
Offer
The appointment is available from October 2012 and is full-time for a period of 2 years (subject to a satisfactory probation period agreed at the time of appointment). There is a possibility of one year extension depending on funding availability. Salary will be according to qualifications based on established scales for postdoctoral positions.
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