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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 Scientist (S)
SHeS’Cap Study
12- Month Fixed-term contract position
Unit/Directorate: Burden of Disease Research Unit
Region: Cape Town
 
Closing date: 13 December 2020
 
 
The South African Medical Research Council’s Burden of Disease Research Unit seeks to appoint a highly knowledgeable scientist with well-established expertise in the conduct of HIV surveillance research. The incumbent will be employed to work in Cape Town for a year and will be part of the Strengthening Health System’s Capacity (SHeS’Cap) for Linkage to Care and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for AGYW and ABYM project in uMgungundlovu district. The incumbent, experienced in conducting health systems research, will be required to work in a team.
 
The aim of this multi-year project is to conduct implementation science to evaluate and promote the systematic uptake of evidence-based practices for improving linkage to care among AGYW and ABYM into the health service and to strengthen the availability of pertinent health information required to improve linkage to care at the district level.
 

Responsibilities: 
  • Key responsibilities include contributing towards science outcomes (publications, research proposals and writing grants/sourcing for funding), planning, tracking, implementing, managing scientific initiatives and coordinating projects (own, unit funded, or CDC sponsored). Be familiar with all the policies and procedures related to the project
  • Consolidate and contribute to scientific reports and papers for publication and present research results at scientific conferences and scientific or collaborators’ meetings
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Core Requirements: 
  • Master’s degree in health sciences, public health, health information systems or a related field
  • A minimum of 2-3 years senior research and management experience is needed, preferable in a research institution or a university.
  • Experience in design, implementation, analysis, interpretation and reporting of health system and public health research
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
  • Should be enrolled for a PhD in a topic relevant to this post
  • Experience in writing scientific reports and other forms of knowledge translation.
  • A track record of publications with at least two first author manuscripts published in an ISI-accredited journal.
  • An understanding of South African health care services and clinical aspects of HIV care
  • Proficiency in a quantitative or qualitative analysis package (e.g. STATA, Atlas.ti).
  • A track record in undertaking and initiating original health systems research
  • Proficient understanding of basic qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
  • Experience with capacity development – either Masters supervision or teaching.
 
Advantageous:
  • Advance working knowledge in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
  • Proven research experience
  • Has the good clinical practice and human subject protection certification
  • Fluency in English
  • Advanced analytical ability and problem-solving acumen
  • Advanced computer skills in MS Office packages and project management tools
  • Professional written communication and presentation skills
  • Pro-active, self-motivated, energetic, flexible, adaptive and innovative
  • Ability to work independently whilst still working effectively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team especially over periods of irregular hours. 
 
Preference will be afforded to candidates who:
  • Have more than 5 years’ experience in public health research; HIV prevention, design and analysis.
  • Are experienced in multi-disciplinary collaborations.
  • Have the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
 

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A salary in the region of R749 401 per annum, cost-to-company, will be negotiated in consideration of experience and qualifications.
 
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 (R336A) IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS
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Visit the following Web Site to complete an online application.  https://forms.gle/zBxd3YGnPgJmSKESA