Post Doctorial Research Fellow (KwaZulu- Natal) at Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI)

Description

We are recruiting a Post Doctoral fellow (scientist or clinician) to work on a new project, ‘EVOLVE-HBV’, studying hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection at the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, South Africa working in collaboration with the Francis Crick Institute, UK. The post will be supervised by a team comprising Dr. Philippa Matthews (clinician scientist at the Francis Crick Institute, London), Dr. Collins Iwuji (clinician scientist at AHRI), and Dr. Tongai Maponga (Senior Post Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Stellenbosch), in collaboration with a wider interdisciplinary team at AHRI, including clinicians, epidemiologists, laboratory research scientists, social scientists, and the public engagement team.  

• The candidate will be employed through AHRI, and physically based between Durban and Somkhele. The post will be initially appointed for one year but with extension to a total of four years subject to satisfactory completion of year one.  
• The candidate will have a central role in the management, delivery and intellectual development of a multi-disciplinary translational research project to study the epidemiology, and clinical and laboratory characteristics of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection through the AHRI Vukuzazi Programme (https://www.ahri.org/ahri-launches-ground-breaking-new-research-programme/) working at the clinical field centre at Somkhele and at AHRI’s state-of-the-art scientific laboratory facilities in Durban.
• The role will include responsibilities for co-ordination and management of an interdisciplinary study, The candidate will work with the established laboratory and clinical teams support the recruitment of eligible study participants, and generate clinical and laboratory data.  
• Laboratory work will focus on the development and optimization of HBV full-genome sequencing at AHR, assaying drug levels and measurement of antibody function. The project will also provide experience and evidence through which we will establish local protocols for diagnosis and clinical management of people living with HBV infection. Our team will be working to provide foundations for future clinical trials.
• The post-holder will be encouraged to engage in preparation of manuscripts and is expected to take a leading role in publications for the project, as well as contributing to applications for additional funding. The successful candidate will become part of an international collaborative programme working on approaches to HBV elimination and will be provided with support and mentorship focused on career development. There will be opportunities for engagement with the Crick institute, including involvement in projects and meetings, access to training opportunities, and connections to other active HBV research sites in the UK, South Africa, Uganda and Kenya.
• Salary: The salary for this position depends on previous experience and brackets are according to AHRI’s official scheme and NRF grades. Non-clinical candidates will be remunerated without tax deduction due to tax exemption status for postdoctoral fellows.
• About AHRI: Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is an independent, transdisciplinary scientific research institute based across two campuses in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa. AHRI’s vision is optimal 

Requirements

• PhD qualification (with or without MD);
• Experience in clinical/translational research;
• Interest in infection and immunity, liver disease, public health, and/or epidemiology, and a willingness to develop new insights across these domains;
• Evidence of academic excellence and intellectual development of research projects;
• Ability to work flexibly and independently to co-ordinate work priorities as the different domains of the project develop;
• Experience of supervising junior team members and colleagues;
• Working according to the principles of Good Clinical Practice;
• Excellent record keeping, with management of clinical and laboratory data;
• Oversight of governance (eg submitting ethics reports and amendments);
• Willing to participate in clinical recruitment of individuals with HBV infection (with support and guidance provided by existing clinical teams);
• Laboratory experience, ideally with a background in immunology and infection, or a related field bringing relevant expertise and skills.

Desirable Skills for This Roles

• Experience of relevant laboratory skills to underpin the proposed project, including pathogen sequencing and/or laboratory immunology skills.
• Experience with patient and public involvement;
• Previous experience or willingness to learn fibro scan (ultrasound assessment of liver stiffness);
• Experience of pathogen sequencing, including next generation approaches using Illumina and/or Nanopore;
• Experience of quantitative and qualitative laboratory evaluation of T and B cell-mediated immunity.

Please note the closing date for this role is 1st of November 2022.