Connect with us

General

Makerere University Hospital iTECH Project Positions: Data Manager, Data Officer & Study Nurse

Published

on

Makerere University Hospital seeks to recruit suitable candidates for the following positions; Data Manager, Data Officer and a Study nurse. Makerere University Hospital received funding from Wellcome Leap, In Utero Program to support implementation of the “Stillbirth in High Burden Settings: Ample Room for Improvement Using Biomarkers and Ultrasound Technologies” (iTECH) project. The iTECH project aims to develop novel clinical tools for use to diagnose and manage high-risk pregnant women and reduce the burden of stillbirths in Uganda, sub-Saharan Africa, and globally.

Available Position: Data Manager (01)

Duty Station: Kampala
Engagement: Full Time
Reporting to: Project Manager

Job Summary:

The Data Manager will oversee the development and implementation of strong data management. He/she will implement efficient ways to collate, organize, store and analyze data with attention to security and confidentiality.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Participate in the creation and enforcement of policies and guidelines for effective data management.
  • Alongside the QA and QC manager, facilitate site level data quality assessment, auditing and verification for improvement.
  • Participate in the collection, cleaning, validation and maintenance of high-quality research data.
  • Use a variety of advanced statistical software, methods, and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret research data to derive useful information for research data;
  • Advise and assists in the development of inferences and conclusions, as appropriate.
  • Write and execute statistical methods and analysis sections of protocols, reports and peer-reviewed publications
  • Design templates and develop specifications for status reports, analysis tables, graphs, and data listings for use in research publications and ad hoc reporting.
  • Participate in the process of data sharing with project team and external stakeholders.
  • Assist with reports and data extraction when needed from the integrated database in order to track recruitment and retention of study participants.
  • Monitor and analyze information and data systems and evaluate their performance to discover ways of enhancing them (new technologies, upgrades etc.)
  • Troubleshoot data-related problems and authorize maintenance or modifications.
  • Participate in the review of the data management plan, maintain the data management plan throughout lifecycle of projects and ensure data management plan is followed according to iTECH project data requirements/needs.
  • Maintenance of study database with regular feedback on occurrences and how these were rectified.
  • Assist in defining and/or create data listings, summary table validation, data specifications and/or process data transfers in preparation for statistical review and/or data management audit.
  • Coordinate the archiving of databases and related documents. Verify data in accordance with the study data management standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Respond to requests for standard reports as required in a timely manner.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

  • MUST have a Master’s degree in Biostatistics or Statistics or Clinical Epidemiology or Statistical Epidemiology or related field, with significant experience in Medical Sciences or public health research and data analysis.
  • MUST have a strong understanding of databases and data analysis
  • Good analytical thinking and ability to interpret epidemiological data
  • At least one year of progressive experience in data management including designing databases, data collection, analysis and presentation.
  • Knowledge of common Statistical analysis and database management packages including STATA, R, SPSS, Redcap, Open Data Kit (ODK)
  • Up-to-date training in Good Clinical Practice and Human Subjects protection Research.
  • Should be dynamic and flexible to deliver on strict program deadlines
  • Possess excellent troubleshooting skills.
  • Able to work under pressure

Available Positions: Data Officer (02)

Duty Station: Hoima and Kampala
Engagement: Full Time
Reporting to: Site Manager/ Data Manager.

Job Summary:

The data officer will provide ongoing technical assistance to the project and facility team in recording and management of project-related data in line with the study guidelines.

She/he will also assist the Data Manager in the entry, cleaning and analysis of data captured by the study database.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Ensure weekly back up of study data including ultrasound, maternal hemodynamics, laboratory, placenta histology and routine clinical data.
  • Support with study data entry.
  • Help the site teams to project participant recruitment and follow-up numbers together with the data manager.
  • Handle labelling of study participant forms including study informed consent forms and lab request forms by assigning study IDs
  • Perform labelling of ultrasound and maternal hemodynamic profiles, and any other data as guided by the line supervisor
  • Perform data export from the study equipment at the sites.
  • Help with participant tracking for follow up study visits and deliveries
  • Support the site study team in the timely compilation of daily, weekly and monthly study reports
  • Any other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the data manager and project manager

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

  • The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology/ Computer science.
  • Experience in medical data management is an added advantage.
  • Should be dynamic and flexible to deliver on strict program timelines
  • Understands client confidentiality and exhibits a high level of ethical conduct
  • Has basic computer literacy including word processing, excel, internet and PowerPoint.
  • Highly organised and pays attention to detail
  • Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team
  • Should have analytical abilities
  • Good communication skills

Available Position: Study nurse (01)

Duty Station: Hoima
Engagement: Full Time
Reporting to: Site Manager and Project Manager

Job summary:

The Study nurse will be responsible for recruitment of study participants and administering of required study related procedures to these participants.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Participate in protocol, standard operating procedures (SOPs) or any other study trainings
  • Participate in study site entry visits and engage with management of study participants. These include but not limited to patient enrolment, as guided by the protocol.
  • Obtain written informed consent for those eligible and are willing to participate in the study
  • Administer all study procedures like sample collection, data collection and entry, patient follow-up and treatment to patients recruited into the study as guided by the protocol and in accordance to set standards of Good Clinical Practice
  • Perform patient safety monitoring for any adverse events, offer care and referral as needed
  • Provide counselling and pyscho-social support to study participants where needed
  • Conduct assessment of maternal hemodynamics and maternal hemodynamics data collection under guidance of coordinator.
  • Perform first-level quality assurance and quality control (QA / QC) to ensure all fields in the consent forms and case report forms (CRFs) are complete and accurate
  • Offer support to the community health workers and research assistants for the follow- up of study participants.
  • Assist in generating study progress reports as needed
  • Perform any other duties assigned by the Operations Research officer, Project Manager and principal Investigator, as deemed necessary for study activities

Required Qualifications, experience, skills and attributes:

  • Minimum of a Bachelor in Nursing from a recognized institution.
  • Currently registered with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council and an up-to-date Practicing License.
  • Up-to-date training in Good Clinical Practice and Human Subjects Protection Research.
  • Previous experience with working in a research environment will be an added advantage
  • Ability to speak the indigenous languages spoken in the western region will be an added advantage

How to apply:

All applications must be submitted to the email: itechprojectug@gmail.com before Friday 4th March 2024 at 5:00PM

Additional Information

  1. The subject line of your email should be: “Application- (indicate the position) – iTECH Project
  2. Submit your application (1-page cover letter, 3 pages resume including two referees, and relevant supporting documents) as ONE PDF
  3. PDF’s exceeding 5MBs will be considered ineligible.
  4. Submission of incomplete or inaccurate documents will render the applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening.
  5. Applications cannot be amended following submission.
  6. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
  7. The interviews will be held on 11th March 2024.

Mak Editor

General

Vice Chancellor Updates Media on Medical Drones, Road Safety Research & Various Issues

Published

on

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (Centre) with Dr. Andrew Kambugu (Left) and Dr. Fredrick Oporia (Right) at the Press Briefing on 29th May 2025. Press Conference featuring Infectious Diseases Institute—the IDI Medical Drone Programme and Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. This collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and our Trauma, Injury, and Disability Unit (TRIAD) Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Senior Common Room, Main Builing, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi on Thursday 29th May, 2025 held a press conference to update members of the Media on the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Medical Drone Programme, and the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, a collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and the Trauma, Injury, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH). Also presented were updates on; Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts, Digital Supervision of Graduate Students, Inclusive e-Learning and Smart Classrooms, and Launch of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Laboratory at the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).

The event held in the Senior Common Room, Main Building, was on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe presided over by the Acting (Ag.) DVC AA and substantive Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. Presentations were made by Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Dr. Andrew Kambugu and Head of the Trauma, Injuries, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit, Dr. Fredrick Oporia. Dr. Jimmy Osuret and Dr. Esther Bayiga from TRIAD supplemented Dr. Oporia’s presentation. In attendance were; the Director for ICT Support (DICTS)-Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Deputy Chief – Public Relations-Ms. Betty Kyakuwa, Deputy Chief Security Officer-Mr. Musa Mulindwa and other university officials.

The proceedings of the Press Conference follow below;

Vice Chancellors’ Press Statement

Good morning colleagues, members of the press,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this important media briefing, where we share compelling findings from two groundbreaking studies that reflect Makerere University‘s ongoing commitment to impactful research, innovation, and community transformation.

The first is a pioneering initiative led by the Infectious Diseases Institute—the IDI Medical Drone Programme. This project explores the use of drone technology to deliver lifesaving HIV medications and test samples to hard-to-reach populations, particularly in Kalangala District and the West Nile region. The study demonstrates how drones can overcome logistical barriers, reduce costs, and enhance access to critical healthcare in some of Uganda’s most underserved communities.

The second study is the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. This collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and our Trauma, Injury, and Disability Unit here at Makerere University presents over two years of data on vehicle speed and helmet use in Kampala. It provides vital insights into the human behaviours and systemic gaps contributing to road traffic injuries and fatalities—particularly among vulnerable road users. The study also offers evidence-based recommendations for enforcement, planning, and public health messaging aimed at making Kampala’s roads safer for all.

We are proud to support this kind of research that not only advances knowledge but also drives tangible improvements in public health and safety.

Before I invite the researchers to present their findings, allow me to briefly highlight some transformative developments in the areas of academic registry and ICT advancement here at Makerere University:

  1. Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts:
    • Alumni can now certify their transcripts digitally through the Makerere Academic Records System (Mak-ARS https://makars.mak.ac.ug/), eliminating the need for physical visits. This user-friendly platform allows access from anywhere in the world, supported by comprehensive video tutorials and public communications.
  2. Digital Supervision of Graduate Students
    • We have introduced the Research Information Management System (Mak-RIMS), piloted at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, to streamline the supervision of Master’s and PhD research. This initiative enhances accountability, timely feedback, and is now being rolled out university-wide to improve graduation rates.
  3. Inclusive eLearning and Smart Classrooms
    • Through support from development partners and the Government of Uganda, we are establishing multimedia studios and smart classrooms across our colleges. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to produce professional, accessible learning content, including tools tailored for students with visual and auditory disabilities. This aligns with our goal of equitable, globally competitive education.
  4. Launch of the AI Laboratory at CoCIS:
    • The newly launched Artificial Intelligence Laboratory will spearhead the development of AI-enabled solutions tailored to Uganda’s socio-economic needs, including localized assistive eLearning tools and context-sensitive curriculum development.

These initiatives are part of our broader vision to transform Makerere University into a research-led, inclusive, and globally relevant institution.

Detailed Presentations

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

Prof. Aina Visits Mak, Evaluates CECAP II Progress

Published

on

Prof. Omotade Akin Aina (Left) receives the Makerere Souvenir Book from Prof. Tonny Oyana as Prof. Julius Kikooma (2nd Right) and Mr. Charles Lwanga (Right) witness. Prof. Omotade Akin Aina-Carnegie Corporation of New York meeting to discuss progress of Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics, 23rd May 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Senior Program Director, Higher Education and Research in Africa, International Program, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Prof. Omotade Akin Aina on 23rd May 2025 visited Makerere University during his short trip to Kampala. Prof. Aina was received on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe by Prof. Tony Oyana, Principal of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).

During his visit, Prof. Aina met with the Project Implementation Committee, representatives from the Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase I Fellowship Cohort, and current Fellows of phase II. The meeting discussed the progress of CECAP II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics.

Left to Ritght: Dr. Jesca Nakavuma and Prof. Julius Kikooma alongside Prof. Omotade Akin Aina during the meeting. Prof. Omotade Akin Aina-Carnegie Corporation of New York meeting to discuss progress of Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics, 23rd May 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Left to Ritght: Dr. Jesca Nakavuma and Prof. Julius Kikooma alongside Prof. Omotade Akin Aina during the meeting.

CECAP II is being implemented by Makerere University in collaboration with four other Ugandan public universities, including; Busitema University, Gulu University, Kyambogo University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, the Project Principal Investigator was represented at the meeting by the Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma.

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

Directorate of Graduate Equips Schools and Colleges with Training in Philosophy of Methods

Published

on

By Moses Lutaaya

The Directorate of Graduate Training at Makerere University has equipped several Senior ranking lecturers with expert knowledge in a Training of Trainers’ workshop on “Philosophy of Methods”.

In his remarks at the opening of a 3-day training workshop at Level4 Conference Hall – Senate Building, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “The teaching of Philosophy of Methods gives all participants the fundamentals to extend knowledge to other learners, hence its importance in upholding the Makerere University values.”

Kikooma urged and challenged the participants to also attend and actively participate in the follow up of learners’ training of students, stating that the PhD students need support as the directorate continues to coordinate the curriculum of PhD by-research that was approved by the senate recently.

“To holistically implement the senate approved PhD curriculum, we are coordinating capacity building trainings of all stake holders in a structured approach with the different units of the University. Many more trainings including Training of Trainers in advanced research methods course are on the way.”

He further urged the participants to be intentional in their teaching profession and in whatever they were doing, adding “Apart from focusing on practices as teachers and researchers, we can engage in wider philosophical debates in our research areas so that we are relevant in the society and in the empowerment of PhD research students.”

 The participants for the Philosophy of Methods training were from College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Education and External Studies, Makerere University Business School among others.

During the same training, Dr. Dickson Kanakulya stressed the need to train senior lecturers in the Philosophy of Methods, saying, “The biggest connection is that societal problems require concrete research to find solutions. Our challenge in Africa is that we employ a short barrow approach to find solutions to problems. This cannot work. We need consistent researchers to solve problems. Lasting solutions to societal issues can only be got through training such as Philosophy of Methods, where researchers come up with new models for societal solutions.”

Prof. Julius Kikooma pose for a photo with participants and facilitators.

Dr. Kanakulya said that Makerere University remains the biggest research University in Africa and philosophy of Methods helps to come up with good research tools that produce good research outputs. “Research has shown that the higher the number of PhD researchers in any given country, the higher the levels of development of that country e.g. the USA, China etc., adding that research is not limited to only medicinal or agricultural related issues.”

He said philosophy of methods, encourages philosophical creativity in research, “It is meant to bring out philosophical generation of concepts, theories and ideas. It is meant to encourage students to question the existing philosophical assumptions and status quo in a given field of knowledge such that new philosophical concepts are created.”

 For successful rollout of government programs like the National Development Plan 4, Dr. Kanakulya said that Philosophy of Methods training needs to be integrated into such systems. “Philosophy of Methods focuses on ethical thinking aspects. For example, for a better rollout of the Parish Development Model, we need implementers to be ethical.” He added.

 Prof. Sulait Tumwiine, the associate Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at MUBS said, “This is a discussion where new ideas are shared to guide and gauge applicability in the current knowledge diversity coupled with lots of technological development including Artificial Intelligence and Chat GPT.”

He added, “As professors of Universities, we need to understand how we leverage on what comes up so that it does not take our space, but also appreciate how we can support growth of knowledge. The Philosophy of Methods training is the answer.”

 Dr. Jim Spire Ssentongo highlighted that Philosophy uses more of the critical mind than Science. He added that philosophy is more of speculation of the mind.

“Sustainability of philosophy Education encourages us to continue training. Philosophy being the oldest discipline retained special status in the academia as a pinnacle of pursuit of knowledge. All disciplines have major elements of philosophy citing examples in the philosophy of Mathematics and Physics.

Dr. Spire added, “If you do not understand philosophy, you cannot deeply investigate anything because philosophy is the reality of understanding everything. Philosophy is the basis of understanding what knowledge is and how it is arrived at.”

Also participating in the workshop was Prof. Joseph Ntaayi from MUBS, in his remarks he said PhD students need the philosophy of methods training to understand how to best to create knowledge. He added that ontological and epistemological questions that lead to good research design methods can only be answered by this training.

Dr. Robert Kakuru, a Lecturer in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences said that the Philosophy of Methods training is needed by every graduate student as well as supervisors to critically determine the choice of methods to use in academic research. For example, “If one wants to use a questionnaire as an interview approach, one should understand, why that approach and yet without this training, the why cannot be answered.” He added.

The Philosophy of Methods training was organized by Directorate of Graduate Training with funding support from the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA).

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Trending