Social Scientist

The Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) aims to recruit an experienced social scientist to conduct qualitative research as part of the Psychosis Recovery Orientation in Malawi by Improving Services and Engagement (PROMISE) study.

PROMISE is a collaboration led by the University of Edinburgh in close collaboration with Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), King’s College London, and the Malawi Ministry of Health. It is a 5-year Wellcome-funded study that seeks to address and improve the mental health of people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Malawi. The project aims to work with people living with psychosis, local community members, health care providers and healthcare leaders to build on existing health services and initiatives to develop acceptable and sustainable psychosis detection systems and management pathways to improve awareness and health outcomes of people living with psychosis. The study will be conducted in two districts in Malawi.

Job Summary

The Social Scientist will work under the direct supervision of the Principal and Co-Investigators to conduct a qualitative investigation to support work packages 3 and 4 of the PROMISE study. The postholder will lead qualitative data collection to explore the experiences of people living with psychosis, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders with psychosis screening, access to care, and treatment.

Under the supervision of the work package leads, the post-holder will organise and conduct Focus Group Discussions, In-depth interviews with people living with psychosis, community members, health care providers and other key stakeholders; analyse the data and prepare manuscripts for publication.

The post is based in Blantyre and Salima, with fieldwork conducted in Chiradzulu and Salima. The successful candidate will be offered an 18-month contract, subject to satisfactory performance.

Main responsibilities

The Social Scientist will be expected to take primary responsibility for participant engagement, recruitment activities and interviews

Specific responsibilities

The specific responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

• Integrating closely with team members to develop a thorough understanding of relevant study procedures and processes.
• Taking responsibility for participant engagement and recruitment
• Undertaking focus group discussions and interviews, working in collaboration with the investigators to ensure smooth conduct, reflection and improvement.
• Coordinating and arranging transcription and translation and ensuring high quality, including undertaking some transcription and translation
• Ensuring data security, including confidentiality and safe
• Ensuring ethical conduct of research and supporting ethics governance, including documenting informed consent and organising the protocol study
• Conducting data analysis, including coding and involvement in writing academic articles.
• Taking responsibility for organisational, budgetary and logistical
• Monitoring, communicating, and reporting progress, maintaining the work plan and ensuring timely completion of tasks.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in relevant social science, ethics, or public health
• Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in research ethics and social
• Demonstrated evidence of first-author publications in relevant social science, ethics, or a public health topic.
• At least four years of research
• Experience in qualitative research, including interviews and focus
• Experience in managing fieldwork and a research
• Experience in qualitative analysis, including qualitative data analysis packages (e.g., NVIVO).
• Experience in presenting research results at national/international
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to relate to people from a variety of backgrounds, including policymakers and community members
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent spoken and written English and Chichewa
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with great attention to
• Ability to work in resource-constrained settings and efficient use of
• Demonstrated commitment to and enthusiasm for a research
• Commitment and willingness to promote high-quality social science, ethical research practice and community engagement with research in Malawi.
• To uphold the Kamuzu University of Health Science’s Motto: Excellence for Life.

Remuneration and Benefits

KUHeS offers an attractive remuneration package with a competitive salary commensurate with the position.

Application Procedure

Suitably qualified candidates should submit an application letter, a detailed CV including details of 3 contactable referees and copies of relevant certificates via email

to: recruitment@kuhes.ac.mw addressed to

The Registrar,
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences,
Private Bag 360,
Chichiri, Blantyre 3.

Indicate the research project’s name as PROMISE Study and title of the post in the subject line of your email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline:

Applications should reach the Registrar no later than 12th of August 2026.