Director (Professor) at University of Cape Town

• The Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine was established in 2004 as a cross-faculty postgraduate research institute based within the University of Cape Town (UCT). The IDM is a pioneering research institute with significant global reach. It has successfully brought biomedical and clinical research together in a synergistic relationship. It is physically and administratively located within the Faculty of Health Sciences. The IDM vision is to be an international centre of excellence where world-class scientists work together to tackle diseases of major importance in Africa. 

Their mission is:

• To conduct basic, clinical, and public health research that is leading-edge and relevant to the needs of African people
• To develop indigenous scientific capacity in the biomedical sciences
• To influence health policy and practise by translating scientific discoveries and applying them in our communities
• To build partnerships with other research centres in South Africa and elsewhere The IDM conducts research at the laboratory-clinic-community interface by engaging a wide range of scientific and clinical disciplines. Collaborative research is an important focus for the IDM, with collaborators being based at 67 South African institutions, 85 African institutions in 20 African countries, and 319 institutions in 35 countries internationally. The IDM also has links to other institutions through 35 research consortia and 26 industrial partners.
• The Director of the IDM is responsible to the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences for the work of the IDM and the financial management thereof and is required to submit annual budgets to the Dean, and to report quarterly on performance against budgets to the Dean. The IDM Director must report on the scientific activities of the IDM to the International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAC) and seek its advice and must account to the Governing Board for the work of the Institute and keep the Governing Board informed on the financial position of the IDM.
• For this position we seek a dynamic and innovative leader who shows evidence of collaborative leadership in complex and adaptive research environments both locally and globally. In the spirit of the IDM, an essential capacity of the successful applicant will be their ability to reflect and pursue a developmental agenda including commitment to the success of others.

Requirements for the job:

• A PhD in a relevant field OR a clinical qualification with a substantial research record.
• Evidence of a global standing within biomedical science.
• Clear demonstration of outstanding research leadership with an active research enterprise in one of the IDM core areas of strength.
• A track record of a capacity for fund raising and innovative partnership development.
• Appropriate experience within the research landscape which demonstrates astute management and visionary leadership.
• Evidence of a role in regional and continental research networks.
• A demonstrable commitment to transformative leadership in equity, diversity and inclusion processes across different environments.

Responsibilities:

• Provide scientific strategic leadership for the IDM which builds on the current strengths and creates innovative approaches to its work.
• Lead an active, well-funded, personal research program in the IDM in one or more of the Institute’s focal areas and meet the requirements for appointment as a Full Member.
• Responsible for day-to-day running of the IDM as chair of Exco. This entails direct line management of the IDM’s Research Enterprise Manager, the H&S, Biosafety & Facilities Manager, and Programme Coordinator.
• Responsible for financial management of the IDM.
• Build and maintain an inclusive research culture which ensures development of researchers through support of members, postdocs, postgraduate students in their career development.