Job Description

NON-COMMUNICABLE DESEASES RESEARCH UNIT

(CAPE TOWN OFFICE)

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) strives to improve the nation's health and quality of life by funding and conducting relevant and leading health research. It further aims to promote equity, career development and progression.

Specialist Scientist (Data Science and Epidemiology)

3-Year Full-time contract

The South African MRC NCDRU's purpose is to develop and apply and integrated program of research and capacity development to improve the understanding, prevention, detection and control of common non-communicable diseases in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. NCDRU is seeking to appoint a Senior Scientist/Specialist Scientist with competence in the application advanced statistical methods and data analytics to non-communicable disease epidemiology and prevention. This is a 3-year full-time contract post which is available immediately, based in Cape Town.

Responsibilities:

• Designing research questions, developing protocols to address research questions relating to cardiometabolic disease epidemiology in Africa.

• Contributing to the identification, negotiation and acquisition of population-based data across Africa, to enrich an existing database of cardiometabolic risk profile in Africa.

• Managing and maintaining large and complex datasets on cardiometabolic diseases

• Conducting advanced biostatistical/analytical modelling including Bayesian and non-Bayesian hierarchical modelling

• Working with international collaborators in a global consortium to generate global and regional estimates and trends of cardiometabolic risk profiles.

• Attending online and face-to-face meeting of the consortium

• Leading and contributing to scientific papers writing and publication in international peer-reviewed journals

• Presentation and national and regional conferences

• Establishing and maintaining links with stakeholders both national and internationally, to create new opportunities and maximize the reach and impact of the research.

• Identifying funding opportunities and lead grant proposals writing to attract funding to support and expand the research portfolio.

• Contributing to capacity development by mentoring Masters and PhD students.

Core Requirements:

• PhD in epidemiology/public health/medical demography relating to NCDs with experience in large data analysis; or PhD in biostatistics/data science with experience on NCD epidemiology.

• At least 3 years research experience in a research institution or a university, ideally in the area chronic disease epidemiology and prevention in the South African and African context

• Good communication and organisational skills

• Experience in working with diverse people and multiple projects.

• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure

• Ability to lead scientific writing, demonstrated through involvement in scientific papers as first or senior author.

• Experience of involvement in grant writing to attract funding for research.

• Experience in mentoring Masters or PhD students

• Advanced knowledge of at least one of the following statistical packages: R, SPSS, SAS or STATA

• Experience in handling/analysing large/complex datasets.

• Willingness to travel

Advantageous:

• Involvement in international collaborative research

• Clinical experience

Terms & Conditions: The SAMRC retains the right not to make an appointment. In accordance with the SAMRC's Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from the designated groups. For this reason, we require race, gender and disability status to be specified. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply. By submitting your application, SAMRC concludes that you are a competent person to consent and that you are giving consent to the SAMRC to process and further process all personal information contained in the application in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, Act No 4 of 2013 (as amended). The SAMRC does its best to provide the most accurate information; however, if there is anything wrong and unclear applicants are encouraged to contact the HR Recruitment Office at 021-938 0648 before the closing date.

A salary in the region of R1 025 391 per annum will be offered, cost-to-company, dependent on qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 15 September 2023

PLEASE QUOTE THE REFERENCE NUMBER (R643A) IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOUR SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED SHOULD YOUR APPLICATION NOT BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION.

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SAMRC