Job Description

Stellenbosch University

Desmond Tutu TB Centre

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Research Assistant

(Job Level 12.1)

Fixed-term contract appointment (until 31 December 2024)

Ref. TGB12/342/1223

Are you interested in taking the next step in your research career? Do you want to work with an internationally recognised and multi-disciplinary team? Do you have a passion for working with children and their caregivers?

More broadly, this project is an opportunity to join the Desmond Tutu TB Centres Socio-behavioural Research (SBR) group. The Desmond Tutu TB Centre (DTTC) is part of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Stellenbosch University (SU). For over a decade, the DTTC has been conducting cutting edge, world-leading science on Paediatric Tuberculosis and associated public health challenges (including HIV). The SBR group includes approximately 20 members, all of whom are postgraduate or more senior and who would be the incumbents peer support structure. The group is working on more than 30 research projects and, for applicants who are skilled, keen, and dedicated, has proven to be a highly fertile ground in which to grow ones career.

The SBR group is looking to recruit eager, young, aspiring researchers who are fluent in isiXhosa. The incumbent will be directly responsible for recruiting healthy child participants, conducting taste-panel surveys, and interviewing children after the tasting and ranking of the TB drugs. This includes all elements of logistics, operations, implementation, and research. Because of the nature of the work, the incumbent must be able and willing to drive (in order to get back and forth to the field site), be comfortable working in diverse community settings, and have an aptitude for producing high-quality research data. This includes good organisational skills and strong foundational knowledge of socio-behavioural science.

Duties:

Performing all study activities according to the agreed protocols, SOPs and timeframes;

Recruiting, consenting and enrolling study participants;

Collecting quantitative (survey) data electronically, by using tablets, and by means of headcounts;

Collecting qualitative data through focus groups and in-depth interviews by using an audio recorder and field notes;

Liaising with the study coordinator on a regular basis;

Maintaining high research standards, including excellent data handling and storage;

Attending all necessary project trainings, meetings, and calls.

Requirements:

Postgraduate degree in a social science (such as Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or Public Health), or a similar qualification;

Experience in the research environment or in health care facilities;

Experience in study recruitment and informed consent processes;

Experience with collecting either quantitative or qualitative data;

The ability to foster a collaborative relationship with health staff and research participants;

The ability to speak, read and write English and isiXhosa fluently;

The ability to translate idiomatically from isiXhosa to English without sacrificing nuance;

Excellent written communication skills;

Sound interpersonal skills and the ability to work within an interdisciplinary and diverse team;

A goal-oriented disposition and the skills to solve problems independently and effectively;

Excellent computer literacy with sound knowledge of the Microsoft package of applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams;

A valid code 08 drivers licence and the confidence to drive.

Recommendations:

A masters degree will be advantageous;

Experience in using REDCap will be advantageous;

Previous experience working within a research setting will be advantageous;

A firm, demonstrable grounding in a range of research methodologies;

Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice or Human Subjects Protection;

Experience researching in TB and/or operational health systems research;

Good Clinical Practice certification.

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