Specialist Scientist at South African Medical Research Council

Job Description

• The SAMRC's Burden of Disease Research Unit is seeking a Specialist Scientist to lead and provide epidemiological expertise for its cancer surveillance and research activities. The successful candidate will manage operations related to the Eastern Cape Cancer Registry (ECCR) and collaborate with national and international partners, including the National Cancer Registry, Eastern Cape Department of Health, IARC, and AFCRN. Key responsibilities include ensuring accurate data collection, analysis, and application of cancer data to support public health research, policy, and planning.

Responsibilities:

• Provide epidemiological expertise for cancer surveillance and research activities of the Eastern Cape Cancer Registry
• Generate reports, interpret data and provide analyses to ensure that accurate data is available for analysis and management decisions
• Writing scientific reports and papers
• Oversee operations of the ECCR concerning:
• Data collection and quality assurance of cancer patient data abstraction and handling
• Manage project plans and activities of fulltime and/or parttime registry staff including training, performance evaluation, and staff development
• Prepare cancer registry reports and summaries including annual incidence reports, survival and trends analyses for internal and external stakeholders including healthcare providers and policymakers
• Foster a positive work environment that promotes collaboration and support for cancer research
• Keep abreast of cancer registry regulations and guidelines to ensure compliance with data privacy and confidentiality standards
• Play key role in linking the ECCR with the National Cancer Registry and the Eastern Cape Department of Health and other relevant cancer surveillance and research stakeholders locally and internationally to ensure that available data can be utilized effectively for epidemiological research, policy and program planning
• Play a leading role in the development of cancer surveillance systems of population-based cancer registration and analysis of data generated by the ECCR
• Strengthen electronic systems for accessing NHLS and private laboratory data for epidemiological applications with specific reference to cancer surveillance and research
• Use of ICD-O in coding of cancer registry data including support of the WHOFIC CC in ICD coding of data
• Write grant proposals and secure funding for public health surveillance and research projects related to cancer epidemiology
• To train and capacitate junior colleagues, surveillance officers, research technologists, field data collectors and students on cancer epidemiology and surveillance
• Contribute to SAMRC and Unit management through participation in committees, reviews, organizational processes, and meetings.

Duration of the contract

• 5 years

Remuneration

• Remuneration commensurate with experience and qualifications

Job Requirements

• PhD in Public Health/Epidemiology or relevant equivalent
• At least 6 years’ experience working in a health research environment (post Master’s degree)
• Minimum 3 years of experience in cancer epidemiology research and programmes.
• Record of 10 lifetime publications (ISI journal articles, editorials or book chapters and technical reports) with at least 3 as first/senior author.
• PI of successful income generation/grant application of ≥ R300,000 (NB: funds raised as a co-I/PI on a sub-project are not
• counted, neither are non-research funds (conferences, course fees, etc.).
• Successfully supervised ≥3 post-graduate students to graduation.
• Records of translating professional, scientific or clinical expertise, new knowledge and research findings into public understanding, policy, and/or practice, in order to improve health.
• Experience in leading research project(s), including mentoring and managing a research team.
• Experience in budgeting, finance and risk management.
• Excellent interpersonal relations and communication skills.

Advantageous:

• Personal invitation to external/national committees.

Closing Date:

31 December 2025