Job Description

Closing Date 2025/10/15
Reference Number CAP251008-1
Job Title Scientists
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 to appoint Scientists to conduct high-impact research that aligns with CAPRISA's clinical trial activities. The successful incumbents will be based at the CAPRISA Doris Duke Medical Research Institute Offices in Durban. Each position will contribute to advancing CAPRISA's scientific agenda through leadership in research, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and the generation of impactful findings that inform public health and clinical practice.
Minimum Requirements

• PhD in Medical Virology, Medical Science, or Mucosal Immunology.
• Registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Scientist (advantageous).
• Proven track record of publications and grant writing.
• Experience in supervising and/or mentoring postgraduate students.
• Strong background in mucosal immunology or medical virology and microbiology research, with proven expertise in molecular diagnostics, assay design, validation, and implementation

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 oversee research projects in mucosal immunology, microbiome, STIs, tuberculosis, host-pathogen interactions, culturomics, and antimicrobial resistance.
• Independently formulate research questions, secure funding, and drive innovative studies aligned with CAPRISA's scientific priorities.
• Develop, implement, and review standard operating procedures (SOPs), prepare ethics submissions, and ensure adherence to Good Clinical Practices (GCP).
• Design, validate, and implement molecular diagnostics and assays, with extensive use of high-throughput liquid handling systems.
• Perform data analysis, apply biostatistical methods, and interpret complex scientific datasets to generate impactful findings.
• Collaborate with local and international research partners to strengthen CAPRISA's global scientific agenda.
• Supervise and mentor postgraduate students, fostering research excellence and skills development.
• Draft and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals; prepare reports and presentations for communities, scientific and public health audiences.

Skills Required