Chief Research Specialist at HSRC

Minimum Requirements    
Key requirements:
The candidate must have:

• A PhD degree or medical qualification plus a Master’s degree in either, Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Behavioural Sciences with at least 10 years of experience in research;
• An established research career as evidenced by at least twelve (12) publications (journal articles, reports, book chapters, books) of which several must be international and first or sole authored
• Research experience in tuberculosis and/or HIV, other Infectious Diseases and Non-communicable Diseases
• An interest in one of the priority research areas of HSC will be an advantage
• A sound grounding in Public Health and Social Sciences research methods, especially quantitative approaches, will be a strong recommendation;
• Intellectual and personal integrity, imagination and drive;
• A strong user orientation, based on a commitment to addressing public health issues;
• The ability and enthusiasm to engage as a leader and team player in large-scale multi-disciplinary research, to lead and manage research teams, and to mentor and train their members;
• Strength in epidemiological research methods and design;
• The versatility to apply quantitative and qualitative methodologies to challenging subject matter across disciplinary boundaries will be advantageous.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• Good communication and leadership skills. 
• An excellent networking and fundraising track record;
• Sound knowledge of quantitative data management and data analysis skills
• Proficiency in or working experience with some of the following data software packages:  STATA, SPSS,R, Nvivo, AtlasTI or other relevant statistical packages;
• Registration with HPCSA if medically qualified will be an advantage and a requirement

Duties & Responsibilities    
Key Responsibilities:

• The Chief Research Specialist will be expected to participate in all aspects of the research process as he/she works with staff on research projects. In addition to the responsibility to publish journal articles, a Chief Research Specialist will contribute to the sustainable growth of the HSC Research Programme.
• Leading and conducting high level scholarly research, data analysis and evaluation, using quantitative and qualitative methodologies which meet the challenge of peer review, and has both strategic and policy relevance;
• Networking with major users and funders of Public Health research to understand their research needs;
• Responding to calls for proposals and formulating grant applications.
• Delivering high-quality outputs and reports to budget and deadline;
• Communicating research findings in national and international conferences, publishing papers in refereed journals as well as publishing policy briefs and technical reports
• Building national and international research links and networks.
• Managing and leading research teams and large-scale long-term research projects;
• Ability and willingness to Mentoring and developing the research capacity of young South African researchers and supporting colleagues to advance their research careers.
• Contribute to all the Key Performance Areas and Key Performance Indicators of the PHSB Research Programme

Closing Date    
2023/06/09