Job Reference Number: R944A
Department: Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform
Business Unit:
Industry: Academic
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The SAMRC invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for a Senior Scientist (E) position within the Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), based in Cape Town.
The SAMRC invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for a Senior Scientist (E) position within the Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), based in Cape Town.
The successful candidate will conduct and lead research in one-health surveillance using molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and epidemiological approaches. The incumbent will generate and translate scientific evidence to support public health decision-making, publish research findings, supervise postgraduate students, and contribute to capacity development and collaborative research initiatives within the unit.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support implementation of quantitative and qualitative tools to better understand to understand disease outbreaks.
- Perform and oversee laboratory workflows, including nucleic acid extraction, qRT-PCR, and LC-MS analyses.
- Analyse and interpret molecular, epidemiological, qualitative and quantitative statistical data.
- Prepare scientific manuscripts, technical reports, and grant proposals.
- Present research findings at local and international conferences.
- Supervise and mentor postgraduate students and junior researchers.
- Develop and maintain SOPs, quality assurance systems, and research documentation.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
- Support infectious disease surveillance and outbreak investigations.
Duration:
Permanent
Remuneration:
R 715 505 per annum
Core Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Molecular biology, Epidemiology, or a related field.
- At least two years of research experience monitoring viruses and pharmaceuticals in environmental samples.
- At least one year of epidemiology-based research experience related to antimicrobial resistance and One-Health.
- At least two years of hands-on experience in qRT-PCR, LC-MS, and associated molecular biology workflows.
- A minimum of two peer-reviewed ISI-indexed journal publications, with at least one as first author.
- Successfully co-supervised =1 post-graduate students to graduation.
- Demonstrated proficiency in data management, quantitative and qualitative statistical analysis, and interpretation.
- Competence in biostatistical software (R, Stata, ArcGIS, QGIS).
- Experience presenting research findings at local and international scientific conferences.
- Strong scientific writing and communication skills.
Advantageous:
- PhD in Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, or a related discipline.
- Experience in monitoring viral and bacterial pathogens in environmental samples.
- Experience in outbreak investigations and infectious disease surveillance.
- Established collaborative networks with academic, governmental, and public health institutions.
Closing Date:
17 July 2026
