Job Description

Closing Date 2025/10/15
Reference Number CAP251008-2
Job Title Junior Scientist
Site DDMRI
Job Type Classification 2 Year Fixed Term Contract
Location - Town / City Durban
Location - Province KwaZulu-Natal
Location - Country South Africa

CAPRISA is an award-winning global research organisation located on the campus of the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in Durban, South Africa and undertakes research in HIV, TB and Covid at four clinical research sites in KwaZulu-Natal.
CAPRISA's goal is to undertake globally relevant and locally responsive research that contributes to understanding HIV Vaccines and Pathogenesis, Prevention and Epidemiology, the links between Tuberculosis and AIDS treatment and Covid-19. CAPRISA is a UNAIDS Collaborating Centre for HIV Research and Policy and is recognised as a DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in HIV Prevention and hosts the SAMRC HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit.
CAPRISA is seeking a Junior Scientist with strong expertise in flow cytometry and cell sorting. The successful incumbent will be based at the CAPRISA Doris Duke Medical Research Institute Offices in Durban and contribute to high-impact studies aligned with CAPRISA's clinical trial activities, develop advanced technical skills, and receive mentorship toward independent research careers.
Minimum Requirements

• Masters' or PhD degree in biomedical sciences (completed within the last 2 years).
• Demonstrate expertise in flow cytometry (panel design, multicolour/spectral analysis) and cell sorting (bulk and single-cell applications).
• Proficiency with instruments/software (e.g., BD FACSCanto, FACSAria, FlowJo).
• Experience in mucosal immunology or microbiome research.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Advantageous: Microscopy (confocal, epifluorescence, live imaging); image analysis (ImageJ/Fiji).

Personal Qualities and Competencies

• Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Capacity to work under pressure in a dynamic, changing environment.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively across diverse teams and institutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, as well as interpersonal skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and implement cytometry-based projects, including sample preparation, staining, acquisition, compensation, and high-purity sorting.
• Integrate cytometry workflows with downstream applications (transcriptomics, single-cell RNA-seq, functional assays).
• Contribute to microscopy-based imaging where applicable.
• Develop SOPs and ensure quality assurance/quality control in cytometry, transcriptomics and microscopy.
• Analyse, interpret, and publish high-impact research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Support grant applications and strategic scientific initiatives.

Skills Required