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

Responsibilities:

• Support the design and implementation of health policy analysis and/or health systems research studies, applying recognised health policy and systems research frameworks
• Conference and meeting presentations at local or international conferences or at external meetings
• Research translation, including manuscripts for journal publication, policy briefs, and reports, and present at scientific meetings and conferences
• Capacity development, including the supervision of Masters’ students, facilitating workshops, and mentoring
• Contributing to the scientific life of the Unit through journal clubs, research days and other relevant activities

Core Requirements:

• Master’s degree in public health, clinical epidemiology, or related field
• Registration with a relevant professional body (e.g., HPCSA, SAPC), where applicable to the candidate’s discipline
• Between 3-5 years’ experience working in a health research environment.
• Record of 2 lifetime publications (ISI journal articles, editorials or book chapters and technical reports) with at least 1 as first/senior author.
• Knowledge of conducting systematic reviews and/or other health systems research
• Successfully co-supervised or in the process of supervising =1 post-graduate students to graduation.
• Record of translating professional, scientific or clinical expertise, new knowledge and research findings into public understanding, policy, and/or practice, in order to improve health.
• Excellent interpersonal relations and communication skills.
• Knowledge of evidence-informed decision-making principles, e.g. health systems thinking, knowledge translation, or evidence-informed policymaking.

Advantageous:

• Experienced in conducting and summarizing systematic or scoping reviews relevant to health policy and health systems
• Previous experience of stakeholder liaison in a scientific research environment
• Understanding of national, regional and global health governance structures
• Understanding of political economy analyses
• Familiarity with financing, service delivery, human resources, and essential medicines supply systems.
• Proficient in English (other languages an asset)