Call for Research Coordinator

Context

Locally grounded, transnationally queer is a multi-sectoral collaboration between the UCL Institute for Global Health and Mahidol Center for Health, Behavior and Society at the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, and several clinical and community-based organisations in Thailand. The project is funded by the Wellcome Trust and runs to 31^st October 2029. This post will work closely with the grant PI Dr Charles Witzel, support the day-to-day coordination of the project and be involved in key study activities including recruitment to a large online survey, conducting in-depth interviews and facilitating discussion groups. As such, the successful applicant will have experience of sensitive research with marginalised groups, excellent organisational skills and be proficient in both Thai and English. 

Project outline

Sexualised drug use (SDU) refers to using drugs before/during sex. ‘Hi-fun‘ in Thailand (‘chemsex’ in Western settings) is the intentional use of specific substances (for example, methamphetamine) to prolong sex with multiple partners. Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men’s (GBMSM) sexualised drug use is a global public health concern because of its negative impacts on wellbeing, mental and sexual health.

GBMSM sexualised drug use is increasingly visible in Thailand, where unique sociocultural/political environments shape sexual cultures and harms. Research investigating the diversity of sexualised drug use practices, who experiences which harms and which groups might benefit from support is urgently required.

Key project activities include focus groups exploring boundaries between hi-fun and other sexualised drug use. Systematic mapping will identify potential interventions. Online surveys of GBMSM engaged in sexualised drug use (n=1000+) will examine behavioural patterns, harms and intervention acceptability. In-depth interviews and diaries will explore sexualised drug use accounts. Data will be interwoven with survey latent class analysis, producing mixed methods grounded theory, informed by transnational queer sociology, exploring how economic growth, globalisation, criminalisation and pleasure shape sexualised drug use cultures. Finally, workshops will synthesise findings with the COM-B model of behaviour change, co-developing a care framework supporting service provision.

This interdisciplinary multi-method research will transform understandings of how social and economic forces shape sexualised drug use cultures and co-develop innovative support strategies for GBMSM engaged in sexualised drug use in Thailand.

A. Scope of Work

1. Research Coordination

·       Coordinate component research projects to ensure they proceed according to plan

·       Communicate and collaborate with researchers, project staff, and partner organizations

·       Prepare and manage research-related documents

2. Ethical Approval & Documentation

·       Prepare documents and process applications for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, including amendments, reports, and renewals as needed

·       Maintain proper documentation and records related to ethical approval

3. Fieldwork & Data Collection

·       Plan and conduct data collection using both quantitative and qualitative methods (e.g., surveys, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions)

·       Coordinate with research sites and key informants

·       Coordinate recruitment to quantitative and qualitative studies

·       Facilitate transcription and translation of research data

4. Research Tool Development

·       Assist in designing and developing research instruments in collaboration with the research team and the PI

·       Participate in testing and refining research tools to align with the project’s context and aims

5. Budget & Financial Management

·       Manage and oversee the budget for fieldwork activities, including advance payments, expense reconciliation, and receipt collection

·       Coordinate with the finance team to ensure proper financial procedures and reimbursements

6. Data Analysis & Reporting

·       Assist in analyzing collected research data

·       Support the preparation of project reports, academic articles, and research summaries including as lead author

7. Academic & Networking Engagement

·       Participate in and present research findings at academic conferences at local, national, and international levels

·       Establish and maintain academic collaborations with local and international research networks

8. Other Duties as Assigned

·       Perform additional tasks as assigned by the PI, Dr Charles Witzel