Senior Scientist (E) at The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

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.

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