The Indonesia Research Partnership on Infectious Diseases (INA-RESPOND) is a collaborative clinical research partnership between the Directorate General of Advanced Health (Keslan) of the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Republic of Indonesia and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)  of the United States of America, with RSPI Prof. Dr. Sulianti Saroso (RSPI SS) serving as the official host institution and implementer as stipulated in the Decree of the Ministry of Health.

The partnership was formed to jointly build and capitalize on opportunities to rapidly launch a research response to emerging infectious disease threats and to benefit the international community by conducting high quality, collaborative, and sustainable infectious disease research.

The partnership has completed observational and interventional studies on a variety of diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, COVID-19, acute febrile illness, pneumonia, and schistosomiasis (publication list).

All research activities are coordinated through INA-RESPOND Secretariat, the operational hub, now based at the National Brain Center Hospital (RS PON). The INA-RESPOND Secretariat maintains the capacity and expertise needed to conduct independent clinical research, including study implementation, protocol development, monitoring and regulatory, laboratory testing, biostatistics, finance, administration, data management, IT, manuscript writing, and project management.

The Scientific Specialist / Science Section Lead, a supervisory position within the INA-RESPOND Secretariat, will implement and oversee the scientific activities of the partnership. This includes setting and maintaining high scientific standards for INA-RESPOND, assuring that all clinical research activities conducted are in full compliance with research regulations, and translating research findings into contributions that enhance the global understanding of infectious diseases and advance healthcare policies in Indonesia. The international collaborative clinical research of INA-RESPOND requires advanced knowledge of clinical research principles, subject matter expertise in infectious diseases, and effective communication with partnership stakeholders (hospitals, the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the U.S. NIAID, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., and others as applicable).

This is a full-time position based in Jakarta that offers one day of remote work per week, offering the opportunity to shape and advance collaborative infectious disease research of national and global importance, with the possibility of serving as a Principal Investigator in line with applicable requirements.

Reporting Line / Supervisor: This position reports directly to the INA-RESPOND Deputy Head.

Supervisory Role: Directly supervise Science Section staff and oversee other Secretariat staff contributing to scientific activities within INA-RESPOND.

Primary responsibilities are outlined as follows:

• Works collaboratively with the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), Executive Steering Committee (ESC), and INA-RESPOND Head to determine, manage, and advance the scientific direction of the partnership.
• Maintains awareness of developments in infectious disease research fields, leveraging networks and relationships to ensure that INA-RESPOND continues to pursue relevant research.
• Performs the critical role of overseeing the implementation of the INA-RESPOND scientific agenda, including the timely development of scientific concepts, protocols, publications, presentations, and related documents.
• Supports the INA-RESPOND Head in formulating research questions, soliciting new scientific opportunities, applying for research funding, designing clinical studies, interpreting findings, and recruiting scientific experts to support the partnership.
• Provides scientific leadership and mentorship to subordinates, early-career staff, investigators, collaborators, and other researchers working with INA-RESPOND.
• In conjunction with Secretariat staff and partnership stakeholders, coordinates and assists in the development of protocols, procedure manuals, and other study documents to ensure adherence to approved timelines for site readiness and implementation of studies.
• Supports and facilitates scientific and study protocol activities of the partnership, ensuring adherence to the ICH Guideline for Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) and other applicable regulations.
• In coordination with the Data Management and Biostatistics Section, supports the analysis of study findings and oversees the development of study outputs in a timely manner (e.g., manuscripts, posters, presentations, policy documents). 
• Represents INA-RESPOND as needed at external meetings and scientific discussions.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline or medical degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in clinical research, clinical trials, and/or laboratory science, preferably in the field of infectious diseases.
• Active career in biomedical research, as evidenced by a minimum of 5 peer-reviewed publications in international scientific journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
• Extensive experience and proven effective skills operating within the Indonesian biomedical research community.
• Extensive experience and proven effective skills developing international collaborations in biomedical research.
• Advanced level of supervisory and management skills, with interest in teaching and mentoring early-career and inexperienced researchers.
• Experience in identifying research funding opportunities and facilitating grant applications.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally.
• Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesian, having high proficiency with written and verbal communication.