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SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (SAMRC)
 
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) strives to improve the nation’s health and quality of life by funding and conducting relevant and leading health research.  It further aims to promote equity, career development and progression.  The organisation prides itself on three core values: being pioneering, striving for excellence and working collaboratively.
 
The SAMRC retains the right not to make an appointment. Should no feedback be received within 30 days of the closing date, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.
 
Vacancy: Senior Data Specialist (Entry/Seasoned) x 1 post, 3 – Year Contract
Unit/Directorate: DST/SAMRC South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN)
Region: initially Johannesburg, then relocate to Pretoria
 
Closing date: 31 December 2020
 
 
The DST/MRC SAPRIN is a long-term investment in research infrastructure that affords the opportunity to draw together and harmonise South Africa’s existing Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) nodes and to develop new HDSS nodes in urban settings. Currently, surveillance covers some 250,000 persons of all ages and will be expanded to 550,000 persons in the next three years.
 
The person in this position will play a leading role in developing, implementing and maintaining procedures and systems to curate the data contributed by the network of HDSS Nodes comprising the South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN); and to enable the optimal use of this resource by data users, both internally to SAPRIN, and externally by the broader national and international scientific community.
 
This will involve working with SAPRIN node data managers to extract, quality control and harmonise the common SAPRIN data elements on a regular basis. The incumbent will be responsible to develop and maintain the cloud infrastructure used by SAPRIN to store, curate and analyse the SAPRIN data. The incumbent will also manage the SAPRIN Data Repository and assist data users with specifying and analysing datasets from the SAPRIN Data Repository. The incumbent will also oversee the design, development and implementation of common SAPRIN data systems.
 
 
The incumbent will report to the SAPRIN Director and will be responsible for the following strategic and core key result areas:
  • Work with members of the research leadership team, to manage SAPRIN core data elements and oversee the annual contribution of quality-assured, common data elements by SAPRIN nodes
  • Manage the SAPRIN Data Repository, increase downloads of SAPRIN Data and ensure the satisfaction of data users
  • Manage the implementation of a common SAPRIN HDSS data system
  • Oversee the adoption of common data quality assurance measures and methods
  • Manage the fit-for-purpose SAPRIN cloud infrastructure
 
Core Requirements: Senior Data Specialist (Seasoned) Higher level       
  • At least a Masters level qualification in data analysis, computer science, software engineering, bio-statistics or related field. A doctoral qualification will be advantageous.
  • Any of the following:
    • 5 years systems design and development. 5-10 years relational database management.
    • 5 years of relevant experience in Information Systems design, system development and analysis.
    • 5 years of relevant experience in data analysis.
  • Special training or skills/competencies required:
    • Database design and development
    • Systems design/Computer engineering
    • Minimum 3 years of Demonstrated Experience (DE) with DBMS such as Oracle, SQL-Server, IDMS, DB2, Sybase, and/or similar open sourced databases
    • Statistical analysis/data analysis, e.g. R, Stata, SAS
    • High level computer language, e.g. C#, Java, Python experience
    • Publications in the field of data science
  • Solid interpersonal, communication, follow-up, and presentation skills (verbal and written)
  • Ability to define, analyze and resolve problems
  • Experience in effectively identifying, researching, troubleshooting/ diagnosing and resolving data quality issues.
 
Core Requirements: Senior Data Specialist (Entry) Lower Level
  • At least a Masters level qualification in data analysis, computer science, software engineering, bio-statistics or related field. A recent doctoral qualification will be advantageous.
  • Any of the following:
    • Experience in systems design and development.
    • Experience in Information Systems design, system development and analysis.
    • Experience in data analysis.
  • Special training or skills/competencies required:
    • Database design and development
    • Systems design/Computer engineering
    • Experience with DBMS such as Oracle, SQL-Server, IDMS, DB2, Sybase, and/or similar open sourced databases
    • Statistical analysis/data analysis, e.g. R, Stata, SAS
    • High level computer language, e.g. C#, Java, Python experience
 
Advantageous:
  • Doctoral degree in the data analysis, computer science, software engineering, bio-statistics or related field.
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A salary in the region of R820 660 - R1 035,623 per annum, cost-to-company, will be negotiated in consideration of experience and qualifications.
 
The level of appointment will be subject to the applicant meeting the criteria for the various levels.
 
In accordance with the SAMRC’s Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from the designated groups. For this reason, we require race, gender and disability status to be specified. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply.
 
PLEASE QUOTE THE REFERENCE NUMBER (R337A) IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS
Visit the following Web Site to complete an online application.  https://forms.gle/o4vejFdw2mjee62S7

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