Project Technical Support - I- ICMR - Smart RA Project

Rheumatoid Arthritis affects approximately 0.5–1% of the adult population, translating into a substantial disease burden and contributing disproportionately to societal disability. Methotrexate monotherapy is the standard first-line treatment; however, it leads to only 30–50% achieving low disease activity and most patients require addition of other DMARDs (conventional, biologic or targeted-synthetic). Initiating treatment with combination of methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, may improve efficacy by 10–20%; partly by increasing methotrexate levels. In addition, hydroxychloroquine has favorable metabolic effects like lipid lowering. Despite widespread use, robust adequately powered randomized evidence comparing first-line methotrexate monotherapy with methotrexate–hydroxychloroquine combination is lacking. This proposed study is a Sequential step-up strategy trial that mirrors real-world decision making and aims to answer two clinically relevant questions in one study with a resource-efficient framework: (i) the optimal initial csDMARD strategy, and (ii) the most effective step-up approach in patients with inadequate response. By generating pragmatic and contextually relevant evidence, this study has the potential to directly inform treatment algorithms in resource-constrained settings.

Salary : Rs.23,400/- p.m

No of Vacancy : One

• Conduct detailed screening and recruitment of study -participants
• Study Implementation & Coordination
• Data Management & Quality Control
• Sample Collection & Handling
• Maintain study logs
• Participant Counselling & Retention

Preferred Qualifications: Graduate

Age Limit: 28 Years

Preferred Language: English, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu

Tentative Date of Joining : 15th November 2026

To Apply: E-mail cover letter and curriculum vitae with 3 references (names and email addresses / phone numbers) by on or before 9th October 2026 to immunology_clinical_trials@yahoo.co.in & cc to hr@sjri.res.in