UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU NATAL (UKZN) VACANCIES

 
The University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN) is committed to meeting the objectives of Employment Equity to improve representivity within the Institution. Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups in accordance with our Employment Equity Plan. 
 
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES 
LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST 
(12 MONTHS) 
DISCIPLINE OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE 
SCHOOL OF NURSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH 
HOWARD COLLEGE CAMPUS 
REFERENCE NUMBER: T/NPH06/2025 
 
The Discipline of Traditional Medicine in collaboration with the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is looking for a laboratory technologist whose main responsibility is to work with SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and/or Hepatitis B infected human samples in Prof Gqaleni’s Laboratory at AHRI. He/she will perform processing of SARS-CoV-2, HIV/Hep B infected tissue samples, and blood and downstream analysis including immunology assays. These will be treated with extracts of natural/traditional medicines obtained from local traditional health practitioners. This work will be carried out in BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories 
 
Minimum Requirements: 
➢ Honours degree in virology 
➢ 3 years experience with human Hep B, HIV, and SARS-Cov-2 research 
➢ 3 years experience working with traditional medicines 
➢ Computer Literacy 
 
Essential Requirement 
➢ Good verbal and written communication skills 
➢ Availability to start immediately 
 
This post reports to Professor Gqaleni. Inquiries regarding this post may be directed to Professor N Gqaleni on 031 260 4280 (0605647568) / gqlenin@ukzn.ac.za. The job profile is available from Mr N Ngubo on: 031 260 7886 or email: ngubon1@ukzn.ac.za.
 
The closing date for receipt of application is 03 March 2025. The University, however, reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or extend the above date in order to facilitate further searches. 
 
Applicants are required to complete the relevant application form which is available on the Vacancies website at www.ukzn.ac.za. Completed forms may be sent to gqalenin@ukzn.ac.za.
 
Advert Reference Number MUST be clearly stated in the subject line.
 
 
 
 
 

​The University of KwaZulu-Natal is committed to meeting the objectives of Employment Equity to improve representivity within the Institution. Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups in accordance with our Equity Plan. 
 
RESEARCH ASSISTANT- MHINT PSYCHOSIS (2 POSTS) 
(1year fixed term contract) 
College of Health Sciences 
Centre for Research in Health systems 
School of Nursing and Public Health 
uMgungundlovu District 
Reference Number: MHP2/RA2025 
 
Preamble: The CRH conducts research to strengthen health systems with a focus on developing and testing innovations and service delivery improvement within resource constrained settings, extending to improving governance, participation, and universal health coverage. 
 
Project description: Feasibility and acceptability of critical time intervention to support people with severe mental illness following post-acute hospital discharge in South Africa 
Evidence-based interventions in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) that promote positive outcomes for people living with severe mental illness (SMIs) in community settings, particularly following the disruption and trauma of acute psychiatric hospitalization, remain limited. This period of transition is a particularly promising window wherein the effects of interventions aiming to prevent psychiatric relapse and promote individual wellbeing can be maximized. The overall aim of this research is to determine the feasibility of real-world implementation of a co-produced health system strengthening intervention in reducing hospital re-admission rates related outcomes among people living with severe mental illness following acute psychiatric hospitalization in South Africa. 
 
Brief Summary of position: - Fieldworkers x2 (Health Care Facilities) 
The Research Assistant- MhINT Psychosis will be required to work with mental health patients and their families, and community health workers, and WBPHCOTS using established research procedures. Duties include administration of psychological assessments for patients with psychosis, visits to households, administration of questionnaires and interviews, liaison with family members of patients with psychosis, and health care facilities and stakeholders. 
 
Minimum Requirements: 
• 4 Year Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych) degree with registration with HPCSA OR MA in Social Work specializing in mental health OR 4 year Diploma in Nursing OR 4 year Degree in Nursing 
• 1 year Fieldwork experience in qualitative interviewing and administering questionnaires 
• Driver’s license with at least 2 years’ experience driving 
• Experience working with people with psychosis 
 
Essential Requirements: 
• Proven capacity to work independently / without constant supervision 
• Work experience in health research settings involving communities 
• Work experience in mental health services 
• Fluent isiZulu /English 
• Willing to travel to rural and urban community settings 
• Willing to travel between healthcare settings and within communities, including conducting research within households 
 
Additional information 
The remuneration package offered will be in line with university salary scales and dependent on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. The contract period is 12 months with the possibility of extension depending on availability of external funding. Please note these posts are based in uMgungundlovu District. The project does not cover any relocation or associated costs if applicable, for the successful candidate who does not reside in the area. 
 
This post reports to the Project Coordinator. The job profile is available from Dr Tasneem Kathree, Tel Number: 031 260 1569 or e-mail: crh@ukzn.ac.za.
 
The closing date for receipt of applications is 28 February 2025. The University, however, reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or extend the above date in order to facilitate further searches. 
 
Applicants are required to complete the relevant application form, which is available on the Vacancies website at www.ukzn.ac.za. Completed forms must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae formatted to include each minimum requirement as stated in the advertisement, together with supporting documents where applicable, and a covering letter and must be sent to E-mail address crh@ukzn.ac.za. Please quote “Research Assistant -MhINT Psychosis ” as a reference in your subject line. Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

​The University of KwaZulu-Natal is committed to meeting the objectives of Employment Equity to improve representivity within the Institution. Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups in accordance with our Equity Plan. 
 
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER SUPERVISOR (3 POSTS) 
(1year fixed term contract) 
College of Health Sciences 
Centre for Research in Health systems (CRH) 
School of Nursing and Public Health 
uMgungundlovu District 
Reference Number: MHP1/CHW 
 
Preamble: The CRH conducts research to strengthen health systems with a focus on developing and testing innovations and service delivery improvement within resource constrained settings, extending to improving governance, participation, and universal health coverage. 
 
Project description: Feasibility and acceptability of critical time intervention to support people with severe mental illness following post-acute hospital discharge in South Africa 
Evidence-based interventions in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) that promote positive outcomes for people living with severe mental illness (SMIs) in community settings, particularly following the disruption and trauma of acute psychiatric hospitalization, remain limited. This period of transition is a particularly promising window wherein the effects of interventions aiming to prevent psychiatric relapse and promote individual well-being can be maximized. The overall aim of this research is to determine the feasibility of real-world implementation of a co-produced health system strengthening intervention in reducing hospital re-admission rates related outcomes among people living with severe mental illness following acute psychiatric hospitalization in South Africa. 
 
Brief Summary of Position: 
The Community Health Worker Supervisor will be required to work with mental health patients and their families and ward-based primary health care outreach teams (WBPHCOTS) using established research procedures. Duties include visits to households, administration of a psycho-educational tool, train and support household champions in the management of household members with psychosis. 
 
Minimum Requirements: 
• Grade 12 
• 2 Year Certificate as an enrolled nurse OR a 3 year diploma in nursing 
• Registration with South African Nursing Council 
• 1 Year experience in clinical and community nursing 
• South African driver’s license with 2 years’ experience 
 
Essential Requirements 
• Computer skills: e-mail, word processing and spreadsheets 
• fluent isiZulu and English 
• Experience in leading/supervising/facilitating community health worker services
• Proven capacity to work independently / without constant supervision 
• Work experience in health research settings involving communities 
• Work experience in mental health services 
• Willing to travel to rural and urban community settings and work with households 
• Willing to work with people diagnosed with psychosis 
 
 
Additional information 
The remuneration package offered will be in line with university salary scales and dependent on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. The contract period is 12 months with the possibility of extension depending on availability of external funding. Please note these posts are based in uMgungundlovu District. The project does not cover any relocation or associated costs if applicable, for the successful candidate who does not reside in the area. 
 
This post reports to the Project Coordinator. The job profile is available from Dr Tasneem Kathree, Tel Number: 031 260 1569 or e-mail: crh@ukzn.ac.za. 
 
The closing date for receipt of applications is 28 February 2025. 
The University, however, reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or extend the above date in order to facilitate further searches. 
 
Applicants are required to complete the relevant application form, which is available on the Vacancies website at www.ukzn.ac.za. Completed forms must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae formatted to include each minimum requirement as stated in the advertisement, together with supporting documents where applicable, and a covering letter and must be sent to E-mail address crh@ukzn.ac.za. Please quote “Community Health Worker Supervisor /Facilitator” as a reference in your subject line. Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.