Literature Review Assistant - Ref: LRA-004/TR
Overview
Terra's educational content is grounded in both traditional knowledge and emerging research. We need someone to help build an internal database of peer-reviewed studies. The Literature Review Assistant searches academic databases, screens papers for relevance, and writes concise summaries. You do not need to be a scientist. You need to read carefully, think critically, and summarize clearly.
Responsibilities
The Literature Review Assistant searches academic databases including PubMed and Google Scholar to identify peer-reviewed studies relevant to Terra's areas of focus. These areas include autophagy, intermittent fasting, mineral metabolism, traditional diets, pastoral health, salt composition, and bone broth. The assistant screens search results for relevance, quality, and recency, excluding low-quality or irrelevant papers. For each selected paper, the assistant writes a concise summary of 200 to 300 words, including the research question, key findings, and limitations. The assistant organizes papers and summaries in a shared spreadsheet or document, tagging each entry by topic. The assistant also maintains a living bibliography for Terra's internal use and notes areas where research is lacking or conflicting.
Database and Reference Management Environment
The Literature Review Assistant will work with two primary tools.
Airtable. Terra uses Airtable as its research database. Airtable is a cloud-based, spreadsheet-database hybrid that allows for structured data entry, filtering, and collaboration. The assistant will have access to a view containing research papers, summaries, and topic tags. Training on the specific view and fields will be provided. The assistant will update records with paper summaries, key findings, limitations, and topic tags directly within Airtable.
Reference Manager (Zotero or Mendeley). Terra uses a reference manager to organize and store citation data. The assistant will be given access to a shared library. Training on the specific reference manager will be provided if needed. The assistant will import papers into the reference manager, organize them by topic, and ensure citations are complete and accurate.
Workload and Commitment
The Literature Review Assistant completes 20 to 30 paper summaries per month, requiring approximately two to three hours of work per week. A monthly stipend of KSh 9,000 is provided. The role is ongoing, with a minimum three-month commitment preferred. The position is fully remote and open to applicants in Kenya.
Required Qualifications
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Education | Minimum KCSE grade B in English or Biology. A diploma or degree in Health Sciences, Nutrition, Biology, Public Health, or a related field is strongly preferred. |
| Research Literacy | Ability to read and understand peer-reviewed scientific papers at a basic level. Familiarity with research terminology (e.g., sample size, controls, p-values, confidence intervals) is an advantage. |
| Database Proficiency | Familiarity with PubMed, Google Scholar, or similar academic databases. Ability to conduct structured literature searches using keywords and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT). |
| Summarization Skills | Ability to write clear, concise, accurate summaries of 200-300 words. Summaries must include research question, key findings, and limitations without oversimplification or misinterpretation. |
| Critical Thinking | Ability to assess study quality, sample size, controls, and potential bias. Ability to identify gaps or conflicts in the literature. |
| Technical Skills | Basic computer literacy. Familiarity with spreadsheets (Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel) for data entry and organization. Willingness to learn Airtable and a reference manager (Zotero or Mendeley); training provided. |
| Citation Management | Familiarity with reference managers (Zotero, Mendeley, or similar) is preferred but not required. Willingness to learn is required. |
| Attention to Detail | Notices incomplete citations, misreported findings, or inconsistencies in data. Ensures accuracy in all summaries and records. |
| Organization | Ability to manage multiple papers and topics simultaneously without losing track. Maintains a structured, searchable database of summaries. |
| Consistency | Delivers 20-30 paper summaries per month on time. Maintains consistent quality across all submissions. |
| Familiarity with Terra (Preferred) | Understands the three-phase sequence, including fasting, mineral salts, two-hour wait, and broth from indigenous cattle. Familiarity with topics such as autophagy, intermittent fasting, mineral metabolism, and traditional diets is an advantage. |
| Experience | Previous experience in academic research, literature review, or systematic review is an advantage. Experience in health, nutrition, or biological sciences writing is an advantage but not required. |
What the Role Does Not Include
The Literature Review Assistant is not required to interpret medical data. The role is to summarize what published research reports, not to evaluate whether the research applies to Terra participants. The assistant does not recruit new participants or manage social media. The assistant does not handle sensitive participant information. The role is designed to require no more than three hours of work per week, making it manageable alongside other commitments.
Topics You Will Cover
| Topic | Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Autophagy | How does fasting trigger autophagy? What are the health implications? |
| Intermittent fasting | What are the effects on metabolic health? What durations are studied? |
| Minerals | How do magnesium, potassium, and trace elements affect insulin sensitivity? |
| Traditional diets | What does research say about pastoral communities and chronic disease? |
| Salt composition | How do traditional salts differ from commercial table salt? |
| Bone broth | What compounds are extracted during simmering? What are the documented benefits? |
Compensation and Benefits
The Literature Review Assistant receives a monthly stipend of KSh 15,000, paid via M-Pesa. The assistant gains research experience for their CV, including literature searching, critical reading, and summarization. A reference letter from the Terra founder or research coordinator is provided after three months. After six months of consistent work, the assistant may become eligible for additional responsibilities. The role also develops skills in database management and citation organization.
How to Apply
Send an email to info@terrain.co.ke with the subject line: Ref: LRA-004/TR – [Your Name]
Include the following:
- Cover letter (brief, 1-2 paragraphs) explaining why you are interested in Terra and what makes you a good fit for this role
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting your education, research experience (if any), and any relevant skills
- Academic qualifications – Minimum KCSE grade B in English or Biology, or equivalent. A diploma or degree in Health Sciences, Nutrition, Biology, Public Health, or a related field is an added advantage
- Research summary sample (200-300 words) of any one scientific paper related to fasting, minerals, nutrition, or traditional diets. Use the format described in the responsibilities section
- Your weekly availability (estimated hours per week)
Response time: 5-7 business days. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Terra is an educational framework. It is not a medical treatment, diagnosis, or cure. The literature review assistant summarizes published research. They do not interpret or evaluate health outcomes.