Job Description

The Division of Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) is seeking to appoint a dynamic and visionary Senior Research Director to lead the Centre for Community-Based Research (CCBR) based at the HSRC Sweetwaters site in Pietermaritzburg. This leadership position will strengthen the CCBR's contribution to the HSRC's 2025-2030 priorities, with a focus on intersectional, community-engaged research across health, well-being, identity, and belonging. The successful candidate will be expected to drive a transdisciplinary, impact-driven research agenda aligned to the HSRC's national and continental commitments, including the DSI Decadal Plan, Africa Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
SENIOR RESEARCH DIRECTOR
Office base: Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg
Reference: CCBR SRD
Minimum Requirements

• A PhD in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy, or a relevant field in the social sciences or humanities.
• At least 10 years of senior-level research experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role managing community-based or large-scale implementation science projects.
• A strong track record in academic publishing, including first- or sole-authored outputs and international publications.
• Demonstrable success in leading multi-disciplinary teams and securing competitive research grants.
• Expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies.
• Proven ability to build strategic networks, influence public policy, and contribute to research for social justice and sustainable development.
• Excellent communication skills and experience in mentoring and developing diverse research teams.
• Fluency in English and at least one other African language is highly desirable.

• Experience in the implementation of inclusive, gender-responsive, or youth-focused community-based research.
• Previous leadership in multi-partner, transdisciplinary research collaborations addressing health and societal challenges in the Global South.

• Provide scientific and policy research leadership in health, education, skills, social development and cohesion, guided by communities' focus and a better Africa and the world, as aligned with the HSRC Strategic Plan 2025-2030.
• Lead the design and implementation of multi-year, community-based research programmes that integrate behavioural, biomedical, and implementation science.
• Develop strategic research proposals and secure long-term funding to sustain and grow the CCBR's research footprint.
• Promote ethical research excellence, innovation, and measurable impact through high-quality outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and stakeholder engagement platforms.
• Foster inclusive research leadership, mentoring emerging scholars, and strengthening institutional research capabilities.
• Translate research into practice by ensuring evidence uptake through policy engagement, community dialogues, and knowledge dissemination.