Senior Field Assistant (Adv#21/2026)

icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. icddr,b as a values-based organization encourages women and people with disabilities.

Climate change poses a profound global challenge, and Bangladesh ranks among the countries most vulnerable to its multifaceted impacts. To address the intersection of climate stressors and human health, icddr,b—together with the Wellcome Sanger Institute (WSI)—has established the icddr,b Centre for Climate Change and Health (iCCH) at its Chakaria campus. A flagship project, iCCH will investigate how prolonged exposure to climate-driven environmental changes—particularly salinity intrusion—modulates the gut microbiome (the diverse community of bacteria, viruses, fungi and archaea inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract) and contributes to the rising incidence of gastrointestinal diseases, miscarriage and preterm birth in coastal populations. By integrating longitudinal surveys with systematic collection of stool and environmental samples through the Chakaria Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), the study aims to characterize microbial shifts, identify pathogenic taxa, and elucidate mechanistic links between altered microbial ecosystems and adverse health outcomes.

This position will support iCCH’s activities under the Wellcome Trust–funded project, “Measuring the Global Impact of Climate Change on Human Health from a Local Sentinel Site.” A state-of-the-art microbiology laboratory at the Chakaria campus is fully equipped to process and analyse both biological (stool) and environmental (e.g., water and soil) specimens.

Key responsibilities:

The Senior Field Assistant will report to the Field Research Officer. The position holder will be responsible for the timely coordination of field teams, motivating local community members to provide stool and water samples. Major responsibilities will include-

• Maintain regular coordination and supervise the field teams for data collection;
• Motivating local community members to provide stool and water samples;
• Participate in field visits and collect necessary data when required;
• Provide support in the workshop with local/community stakeholders as per the project’s requirements;
• Maintain logistics and materials when necessary;
• Assist in documentation of study activities.

Required qualification and experience:

• HSC or equivalent; An advanced academic qualification will be given preference.
• 3 years relevant experience; Candidates having working experience in the local community/research for many years will be given preference.

Location: Chakaria, Cox's Bazar

Contract Type and Duration:

• Fixed Term Agreement; duration will be 01 year with a possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and performance.

Salary & benefits:

• Annual Tk. 400,760/- inclusive of house rent, conveyance, and other admissible benefits;
• 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.2,492/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance, and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.

Notes of attention:

• Only short-listed candidates shall be invited for written test/interview;
• icddr,b does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Interested candidates who fulfill the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by February 18, 2026.