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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 six values: pioneering, partnering, excellence, respect, integrity and citizenship.
 
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.
 
SPECIALIST SCIENTIST: FOOD ENVIRONMENT AND DIETARY QUALITY
Permanent position
Unit/Directorate: Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit
Region : Cape Town Office
 
Closing date: 16 March 2021
 
The South African MRC NCDRU’s program on ‘Food environment and dietary quality (FEDQ)’ is a research program aiming through optimization of the food environment and dietary quality, to improve the prevention and control of common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the South African and African context. The program is located organizationally under the auspices of the Office of the Director, NCDRU. NCDRU is looking for an enthusiastic scientist to continue the development and maintenance of its program of research on food environment and dietary quality.
 
 
Areas of Responsibilities will include:         
  • Leading the development and maintenance of an integrated program of research on dietary assessment, dietary quality and food environment in relation with cardiometabolic diseases and other common NCDs in South Africa.
  • Leading the dietary assessment component of studies related to cardiometabolic diseases within other programs in NCDRU
  • Identifying funding opportunities and leading grant proposals writing to attract funding to support the research portfolio of the program.
  • Developing and maintaining a network of collaboration in research on dietary assessment, dietary quality and food environment in relation with NCD prevention and control in South Africa and Africa
  • Establishing and maintaining links with stakeholders both national and internationally, to create new opportunities and maximize the reach and impact of the research of the program
  • Leading scientific knowledge generation in the form of original and other forms of scientific articles on issues relating to dietary assessment, dietary quality and food environment.
  • Presentation and national and regional conferences
  • Developing the next generation of experts in research on dietary assessment, dietary quality and food environment in relation with NCDs.
 
 
Candidate must meet the following requirements:
  • PhD in Dietetics, Nutrition or Public health nutrition
  • A least 5 years research experience in a research institution or a university focusing on dietary assessment in different population groups, preferably in relation with NCDs, across the lifecycle within the South African context
  • Hands-on experience in the planning, collection, management and use of dietary data for research within the South African context
  • Advanced knowledge of dietary assessment instruments for research and dietary data analysis
  • Good communication and organisational skills
  • Ability to multi-task and work under pressure
  • Experience in managing people and project as project leader
  • Ability to plan own research
  • Experience with post-graduate teaching and supervision
  • Ability to lead scientific writing, demonstrated through involvement in scientific papers as first author
  • Experience in grant writing as PI, co-PI or co-investigator
  • Advanced knowledge of at least one of the following statistical packages: R, SPSS, SAS or STATA
 
Advantages:
  • Involvement in national collaborative research
  • Strong national recognition
  • Experience in dealing with multiple stakeholders
  • Knowledge of chronic disease epidemiology and prevention
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The SAMRC offers a competitive, all-inclusive remuneration package in the region of R820 660 per annum, which is negotiable depending on 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 (R360A) IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS
 
Visit the following Web Site to complete an online application.  https://forms.gle/WUdfpzLxj8rywZZ49