Research Nurses (5 posts)
Nursing Jobs
- BRTI - Biomedical Research an…
- Expires 29 Jul 2026
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
Period of engagement: 1 year with a possibility of extension by six months depending on availability of funding
About the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI)
The BRTI was registered in Zimbabwe in 1995 as a non-profit making organization under Section 22 of the
Companies Act (Reg. No.1676/95). The Institute implements research projects and provides training and
support services in public health, biomedicine and health research mostly focusing on HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria
and operational research. Its mission is to promote the health and quality of life of the peoples of Zimbabwe and
the Southern Africa Development Community SADC region through fostering research, training and research
informed interventions in all fields that are relevant to essential national health needs. The main role of the BRTI
is to provide the support that researchers in all aspects of health need to become effective in influencing policy.
About the STOP study
Full title: Single Dose Penicillin Treatment Strategies for Syphilis in Pregnancy (STOP)
The STOP trial is an individually randomised, open-label controlled trial embedded within antenatal care
services in Harare, Zimbabwe. Pregnant women aged 16 years and older between 14 and 34 weeks’
gestation will be eligible to be in the study if they have active syphilis, defined as a positive HIV DUO test
result for syphilis and a positive non-treponemal result on the Chembio DPP Screen and Confirm test.
Gestational age will be confirmed through Last Normal Mensural Period (LNMP). Women must intend to
reside in Harare through delivery and for 12 months postpartum, given the need for longitudinal follow-up.
Blood samples will be collected from the mother and her new born baby within 72 hours of delivery to test for
the presence of syphilis and identification of treponema pallidum.
Duties and Responsibilities
Job Description
The key responsibilities for this post are:
• Recruiting potential study participants.
• Obtaining informed consent from eligible study participants.
• Testing for syphilis to confirm active syphilis.
• Sample collection from the mother during pregnancy and post-delivery.
• Ability to do collect a DBS Finger prick for PK analysis.
• Blood collection from the neonate at 72hrs, venous sample.
• Completing timely data collection, with accurate data entry into ODK on pre-programmed study tablets.
• Timely resolution of queries.
• Treatment of mothers with benzathine penicillin according to their study arm
• Ability to identify side effects/reactions to treatment given (benzathine penicillin) and give antidote.
• Performing physical examination of the mother (anthropometrics and vaginal examinations where indicated), and the child within 72 hrs of birth to include birthweight, MUAC, head circumference, length, and collecting a blood sample to test for syphilis, collecting a nasal swab to test for treponema pallidum
• Treatment of all babies exposed to syphilis with benzathine penicillin
• Be able to help participant with partner notification issues
• Preforming any other study activities as needed
Responsibilities of the job:
• Be fully conversant with the study protocol and any amendments that may be issued
• To act as a clinically competent research nurse who is willing to learn new ways of syphilis treatment
and treatment of other STIs in pregnant women.
• Collect samples as per protocol (both the mother and baby)
• Liaising with other health care workers at the clinic for effective and smooth running of the research clinics.
• Ensuring that participants are correctly assigned to the randomised arm and managed correctly
according to the arm.
• Correct and complete data collection from participant and maternal and neonatal booklets
• Treatment of participants as expected
• Refer those needing treatments or further assessments
• Making sure the clinic has adequate stocks of all required sundries and drugs for the efficient running of the clinic
• Maintaining accurate data records
• Monitoring and performing of accurate study measurements
• Maintenance of data collection tools i.e. tablets, cell phones and books
• Carrying out other tasks which may occasionally be necessary, and appropriate to the post, as determined by the line manager.
Qualifications and Experience
Work Experience, Skills and Knowledge
Essential:
• Degree or diploma in general nursing
• Diploma in Midwifery.
• Valid practicing certificate
• Valid GCP Certificate
• At least 1 year experience working in a research environment
• Experience of organising and running research activities independently with minimal supervision.
• Self-motivated, proactive, innovative, and able to use initiative where appropriate
• A kind, respectful and understanding approach to pregnant women
• Experience working in maternity units or previous work with pregnant women.
• Willing to work during weekends and public holidays
• Must be fluent in Shona and English
Desirable:
• Able to do blood draws for neonates.
• Experience working in local authorities' council clinics
How to Apply
To apply
Interested candidates can send their detailed CV and a cover letter by close of business on 29 July 2026 to:
stoptrial.thruzim@gmail.com.
Please note:
.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
