Hot Jobs at The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

Responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate logistics for fieldwork, including asset management of study materials and equipment.
• Ensure adherence to research protocols, ethical guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Liaison between, project manager, clinic staff and fieldworkers
• Data collection including clinical procedures.
• Clinical/data collection processes documented and monitored.
• Quality control (data collection and management)
• Research Administration; report writing.
• Team leadership and Supervision.
• Active participation in team debriefings and contribution to problem solving.

Locations:

• Polokwane, Mthatha, and Durban

Duration:

• 2-year contract – (50% of time)

Remuneration:

• R 187 400 per annum (CTC)

Requirements

Core Requirements:

• Registered Nurse / Enrolled Nurse: 3-year qualification
• Registered with South African Nursing Council
• 2 years of nursing experience.
• Experience in NCD or similar research
• Experience in community-based research
• Fluency in written and spoken English and at least one of the following official South African languages: Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, or Venda.

Added Advantage:

• 3 – 5 years’ experience in non-communicable diseases research, specifically community-based research
• A code 08 manual South African driver’s license.
• Familiarity with complex research studies in lower-socioeconomic communities
• Having worked in or with clinic/day hospitals - familiarity with day-hospital/clinic procedures
• Experience working in a team
• Experience working sensitively with research participants.

Closing Date:

• 6 March 2026

go to method of application »

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform PBMC isolation, cell culture, mycobacterial assays, ELISA, flow cytometry, and microscopy procedures
• Ensure all experiments are conducted according to protocols and SOPs
• Receive, log, and prepare samples for analysis
• Maintain accurate experimental records
• Assist with troubleshooting and optimization of protocols
• Maintain and monitor laboratory stock levels
• Track consumables and reagents; place orders when required
• Ensure equipment is regularly calibrated and maintained
• File documentation and maintain laboratory logs according to procedures
• Perform quality checks on samples and reagents
• Monitor accuracy and reproducibility of data
• Ensure compliance with biosafety and ethical standards
• Provide training and support to students and colleagues on standard laboratory techniques
• Assist with onboarding new team members
• Promote adherence to SOPs and laboratory safety procedures
• Enter sample and experiment data into laboratory information systems
• Keep detailed and accurate laboratory notebooks
• Assist in preparing basic reports and summaries of experimental findings

Core Requirements:

• BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences, Medical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, or related field
• 1–2 years’ practical laboratory experience in cell biology, microbiology, or immunology
• Hands-on experience with PBMC isolation and cell culture techniques
• Knowledge/experience with ELISA or other immunoassays
• Familiarity with good laboratory practice (GLP), biosafety standards, and SOP compliance
• Record keeping and sample tracking

 Advantageous:

• MSc in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or related field
• Laboratory biosafety training (BSL-2 required; BSL-3 advantageous)
• Experience with mycobacterial or other BSL-2/3 pathogens
• Flow cytometry and/or microscopy experience
• Laboratory quality control procedures
• Stock management and equipment maintenance experience

Closing Date:

6 March 2026

go to method of application »

Key Responsibilities / Learning Outcomes:

• Facilitation and implementation of GLP-aligned training protocols
• Teaching and laboratory-based training support for postgraduate trainees
• Technical laboratory support (mammalian cell culture, molecular biology workflows)
• Research support, troubleshooting, and data interpretation
• Organization, management, and quality control of laboratory data and documentation
• Contribution to internal training reports and funder-related outputs

Requirements

Core Requirements:

• BSc degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline
• Minimum of two years hands-on laboratory experience in mammalian cell culture, PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA
• Demonstrated understanding of biopharmaceutical or biomedical research environments
• Minimum of two years’ experience in teaching/training/facilitating laboratory-based short courses
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development (practical or skills-based programmes)
• Minimum of one year of experience in a related industry environment (biotechnology/pharmaceutical/diagnostics)
• Strong organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Proven data handling and basic analysis capability

Advantageous:

• BSc (Hons) degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline
• Valid driver’s license
• Experience in SCM procedures and/or JDE systems
• Knowledge of quality systems and regulatory documentation (GLP/GxP exposure)
• Certification in biopharmaceutical manufacturing

go to method of application »

Responsibilities:

• Lead and support core research functions, including data mapping, stakeholder mapping, and evidence synthesis.
• Coordinate project operations, stakeholder engagements, logistics, meetings, documentation, and workflow/SOP updates.
• Manage data processes end-to-end: collection, entry, cleaning, verification, curation, and secure documentation.
• Conduct data analysis (e.g., Stata/R) and contribute to high-quality technical reports, proposals, and presentations.
• Prepare and deliver internal/external meeting inputs, ensuring quality control across research outputs and administrative tasks.
• Conduct innovative, high-impact research that contributes significantly to the field in peer-reviewed journals (ISI journal articles, editorials, book chapters, and technical reports) as first/senior author.
• Present at national and international conferences or meetings
• Present research through oral/poster presentations at local or international conferences.
• Contribute to scientific or professional services that support socially responsive activities beyond the SAMRC.
• Support community outreach initiatives and engage with stakeholders, communities, or broader society.
• Participate in developing evidence-based research briefs and technical reports for industry or partners.
• Help raise awareness, promote dialogue, and influence discourse across civil society, community, health, education, or industry sectors using scientific expertise.
• Contribute to training and development through lectures, workshops, technical support, mentoring, and engagement with exchange students.
• Supervise Master's students (enrolled or graduating) and support teaching/training activities for SAMRC staff.
• Lead and participate in writing and securing competitive research grants, including self-initiated research and/or equipment grants

Requirements

Core Requirements:

• Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, Social Sciences, or a related field, with substantial progress toward a PhD.
• At least 5 years’ experience in research, data collection, and systematic reviews.
• Minimum of 5 lifetime publications, with at least 3 as first author in peer-reviewed (ISI) journals or equivalent outputs.
• Successful research and/or equipment grant application of = R100,000 (examples such as external travel award, Thuthuka, etc.)
• Consistent research outputs over the last 5 years.
• Familiarity with data entry, transcription, qualitative and /or quantitative data handling.
• Having successfully supervised at least two post graduate students.
• Ability to follow scientific protocols, standard operating procedures, and ethical research practices
• Strong organizational, and administrative skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Advantageous:

• A PhD qualification in Public Health.
• Knowledge of systematic reviews, and data analysis and Stata/R Studio.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to learn and grow within a collaborative research environment.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities in a dynamic setting.
• Experience in literature searches on various databases (e.g. Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science).

Closing Date:

5 March 2026

go to method of application »

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Scholarships Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following strategic and core areas:

• Project Management: Administer a portfolio of scholarship awards by ensuring compliance with award conditions, managing disbursements, monitoring progress, reviewing technical and financial reports, and maintaining accurate project documentation.
• Programme Administration and RFA Facilitation: Support the facilitation of Requests for Applications (RFAs) under the guidance of the Programme Manager. This includes coordinating selection and approval processes, liaising with applicants and institutions, preparing award letters and funding agreements, and contributing to programme reports and statistics.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Coordinate and participate in internal and external stakeholder meetings, workshops, and events. This includes assisting with logistical arrangements, preparation of agendas and meeting materials, drafting of minutes, monitoring action items, and contributing to communication materials such as reports, presentations, and website content.

Requirements

Core Requirements:

• 3-year relevant tertiary qualification in a science discipline or similar qualification or higher
• At least 2-3 years’ experience coordinating/managing projects, grants or scholarships (i.e. proven project management skills)
• Proven experience administering funding, stakeholder communication and coordinating meetings

Advantageous:

• BSc degree in biomedical or health sciences field
• Demonstrated experience working in a public funding and/or research environment or similar, managing or coordinating projects, grants, fellowships or scholarships
• A good understanding of the public research environment and capacity development
• Preferably demonstrated experience in working across academia, government departments, industry, and philanthropy

Closing Date:

• 6 March 2026

go to method of application »

Responsibilities:

• To assist the Qualitative Specialist Scientist with:
• Support and assist with data collection activities (interviews/ focus group discussions)
• Translate and transcribe interview/ focus group discussion recordings
• Translate study material in English and isiXhosa
• Analyze and interpret qualitative study results
• Qualitative data management
• Maintain tracking logs
• Data quality checks 
• Assist in training of field staff where needed
• Presenting at internal meetings/ journal clubs/ workshops
• Developing manuscripts and/or conference abstracts

Requirements

Core Requirements:

• 4-year tertiary qualification in Social Sciences / Development Studies / Public Health and Masters' registration
• At least 2 years’ experience conducting qualitative research (interviews, focus group discussions)
• At least 1 year experience analyzing qualitative data
• Experience in field of sexual and reproductive health research and/or programmes
• Experience writing manuscripts / conference abstracts / developing research outputs.
• Experience in working and supporting a team.
• Excellent interpersonal relations and communication skills.
• Experience in presenting a scientific matter to a lay audience (e.g., school).

Advantageous:

• Experience working in collaborative qualitative analysis teams
• Experience in HIV prevention / sexual and reproductive health studies
• Experience with translation of isiXhosa to English
• Experience with recruitment of study participants
• Experience writing papers and conducting literature reviews

Closing Date

• 26 February 2026