Job Description

Title of Position

Senior Researcher

Post Number

8036512

Faculty/Department

University of the Western Cape -> Dentistry -> Dean's Office: Dentistry

Type of Position

Permanent - Full Time

Length of Contract Period

Location

Tygerberg Campus - WC ZA (Primary)

Closing Date

25/8/2023

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

The Faculty of Dentistry is a world-class Oral Health Centre committed to the promotion of oral health through excellence of its teaching & learning, service rendering and research. The Faculty plays an active role in producing graduates of the highest standards for oral health delivery, and has gained international recognition through its community-based and professional approach to education.

Purpose of the job

To provide research leadership, management and administration at the Oral and Dental Research Laboratory (ODRL).

Applications are invited from suitably qualified, experienced and dynamic candidates for appointment to the post of Researcher/Senior Researcher to assume the role.

Duties

• General management and administration: Reporting of research activities to management; creating and maintaining a database of projects done at the ODRL and tracking of outputs; organize workshops and demonstrations; communication with third parties (e.g. visiting researchers, collaborators), creating and updating research data repositories for the ODRL
• Operations and skills transfer: be able to operate, demonstrate and teach functions of the equipment and infrastructure in the ODRL. Be able to source these skills if not available at the ODRL or within the faculty
• Networking, collaboration and sourcing of skills to expand or change the ODRL's functions and scope of research projects performed at the ODRL, informing, anticipating and adapting to changing needs of the faculty
• Identify niche areas for growth and development in line with the university's IOP, SDGs, the NDP, PGWC - Health research priorities, and the WHO terms of reference for oral health research. Identify infrastructure necessary to support these research niche areas
• Asset management: Procuring of laboratory consumables and equipment. Creating and updating inventories. Service and maintenance of infrastructure
• Financial administration: Financial administrative functions such as keeping track of CAPEX budgets, procurement, intern and research assistant positions in the ODRL
• Manage compliance with health and safety protocols: Accreditation and registration; Storing, use and disposal of biological and chemical products; Lab access control.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum requirements

• BChD/BDS or equivalent Dentistry degree and relevant Master degree with proven research output,

• Experience in basic laboratory work and operation of equipment (in the fields of microbiology, molecular biology, cell culture, dental biomaterials and/or chemistry),
• Two years experience in the management and/or administration of a health research laboratory,
• Excellent computer literacy.

Added advantages

• Experience in research administration,
• Experience in health sciences research,
• Project management experience,
• Experience in grant writing and track record of research grants secured,
• Working knowledge of financial administration tools (e.g. InforLn), research output programmes (Converis), repositories and research data management plans,
• Evidence of commitment to life-long learning and career progression.

Key competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to work in a collegial, supportive manner with faculty and staff,
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational and decision-making skills,
• Vision,
• Good communication and writing skills,
• High level of work ethics and integrity.

In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and also include anything else that you feel may be pertinent to the selection panel. Please attach your covering letter, a detailed curriculum vitae and highest qualification to your online profile. To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job link below or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/9763/9708/3551/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za

EQUITY DISCLAIMER: In line with the University's commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with Employment Targets of the University. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.

University of the Western Cape