Open Positions at The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

Key Responsibility Areas will include the following:

• Managing the processing of local and international project contracts submitted to the Project Officer in the Contracts & Budgets Office and thereafter to the Legal Office for review and approval, then to the CEO for signing.
• Ensuring that project budgets adhere to the requirements of Contracts & Budgets and that spending is compliant with PMFA requirements.
• Monitoring expenditure on a monthly basis on all baseline and contract projects to ensure that spending does not exceed available funding, and ensuring that funders are invoiced in a timely fashion.
• Preparing spreadsheets for Finances to ensure that contract staff salaries are drawn down from their respective projects on a monthly basis according to the time spent on each project.
• Reporting any deviations to the unit director in terms of problems related to the signing of contracts, overspending on projects, non-payment by funders, failure of projects directors to submit documentation regarding ethical compliance or other research integrity matters in a timely fashion.
• Provide administrative support to the Unit Director and take a lead role in preparing sections of the unit’s annual report, budget application, financial reports, quarterly Research Outputs, and the 5-yearly external unit review application.
• Assist all staff in all MAST RU offices with the procurement system when ordering or purchasing supplies/equipment/consultancy services/sole suppliers and the tendering process for different projects.

Core Requirements:

• 3 years Tertiary Qualification, including a National Diploma or Degree, preferably in Business Administration, Project Management, Finance or a related field.
• 3 – 5 years of experience of Administrative and Financial Work In a science / research environment (e.g., Grants Management and Administrative, Financial Support to a research unit).
• Knowledge of research governance and compliance requirements.

Added Advantage

• Post-graduate certification or qualification in Project Management, Finance, or Business Administration.
• 5+ Years’ experience in Administration and/or Finance, preferably in a Science Environment (Grants Management and Administrative, Financial Support To A Research Unit)

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Responsibilities:

• Phlebotomy and coordination with laboratory responsible for biochemical analysis
• Screening of blood results and coordination with the necessary staff if referral is necessary
• Blood centrifugation
• Adherence to study-specific standard operating procedures, safety recommendations and SAMRC guidelines and policies
• Meet the study desired sample size and the follow up of participants as required
• Administration of informed consents and study related electronic data collection
• Liaising with clinic staff/research team for efficient participant recruitment and data collection
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Maintaining a good daily recording system to document field activities and enrolments
• Share responsibility for clinical equipment and stock.
• Compiling and submitting weekly reports
• Maintaining regular contact with the study project management team to provide updates on progress and challenges
• Other duties as assigned by the project management team
• Assisting research staff members with other tasks, when needed

Core Requirements:

• Registered Nurse/ Enrolled Nurse
• Registration with South African Nursing Council (SANC)
• Minimum of 3-years nursing experience.

Added Advantages:

• Registered Nurse/ Enrolled Nurse: 3-year qualification
• 5 to 10 years nursing experience

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RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set and implement planned preventative maintenance schedules in conjunction with the Facilities Manager.
• Manage the technical budgeting process for all maintenance expenditure in conjunction with the Facilities Manager.
• Set and coordinate service level agreements for approved service providers in conjunction with the Facilities Manager and the Procurement team.
• Ensure that compliance is maintained with building and statutory regulations.
• Manage complaints received by stakeholders via the facilities helpdesk.
• Ensure timeous responses to complaints as per SOP received from stakeholders.
• Project Manage minor building works and equipment installations.
• Induction of external contractors onto the MRC sites and ensuring that health and safety regulations are adhered to at all times.
• Manage contract staff and facilities management staff as required.

Core Requirement:

• Certified Tradesman with a Facilities Management Certificate
• Minimum of 5 years Facilities Management experience.
• Technical – Certified Tradesman with electric wireman’s license
• Technical experience – Mechanical, HVAC, Electrical, Civils, Structural.
• Knowledge of technical, non-technical and business support services
• Knowledge of OHS Act, building/construction and facilities regulations and municipal by-laws
• Facilities building operations and maintenance management
• Strong internal and external relationships using effective verbal and written communication skills
• Proven experience of excellent customer service and tenant interaction

Advantageous:

• Higher Certificate in Facilities Management
• Previous experience in medical research environment with specific experience in a laboratory environment.
• Knowledge of PFMA and Treasury Regulations

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Key Responsibility Areas will include the following:

• SCM Policy/SOP monitoring framework and other SCM governance legislative requirements
• Provide Assistants and Input to the Division Head on operational and strategic matters
• Demand Management
• Project Management and Process Improvement
• Bids Management
• Risk Management
• Acquisition Management – Compliance and Adjudication
• Staff Supervision and Coaching
• Contract Management and Performance Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Sourcing Management

Core Requirements:

• An appropriate bachelor’s degree or National Diploma in supply chain management/ Logistics or equivalent relevant qualification in line with SCM.
• 7 - 10 years’ relevant experience in Supply Chain; with five years of Bid management experience; solid understanding of demand management and some experience (two to three years) executing demand management strategies
• A valid Driver’s license

Added Advantage

• Solid 5 - 8 years’ experience in Tender Procedures in a research-focused environment.
• Postgraduate/ Honours Degree in Supply Chain/Logistics or equivalent

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Responsibilities:

• Working with biohazardous biological samples and substances in a Bio Safety Level (BSL)2 laboratory with significantly increased risk and exposure.
• Use and operate BSL-1 and BSL-2 equipment including cryogenic/freezers and gas cylinders that may pose considerable hazards
• Assist with sanitation, receiving and logging of samples (Adherence to SOP compliance).
• Use of correct sanitation techniques, materials, equipment and protective clothing to clean labs, including animal labs of BSL2 section, surfaces, floors, equipment, and glassware/utensils.
• Prepare material, reagents and equipment for lab essays.
• Responsible for removal of laboratory waste (bins, chemical and biological waste)
• Assist with laboratory preparations incl. labelling of sample containers, processing and preservation of biological specimens from experimental animals
• General assistance - Ad hoc tasks from time to time to assist with smooth operation of labs, including experimental animal lab’s activities and samples transportation/deliveries, ensuring services continue uninterrupted.
• Monitor and record general laboratory conditions (room and fridge/freezer temperatures, humidity, surfaces, equipment etc.)

Core Requirements:

• Matric (Grade 12) with Mathematics and Life Science
• 2 Years experience in a laboratory setting, and/or exposure to veterinary environment
• Ability to work within a team.
• Wiling to undergo a health assessment including TB testing
• Computer literate
• Basic understanding of quality control within a laboratory
• Maintaining records and following SOP’s

Advantageous:

• 1-2 Years experience in lab animal environment.
• Code 08 manual Driver’s license

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Responsibilities will include:

• Biobank management: Set-up and lead the management of the growing NCDRU biobank, ensuring accurate documentation, storage, and retrieval of biological samples for ongoing and future research projects.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Draft, revise, and ensure compliance with SOPs related to laboratory work, biobank management, and research procedures.
• Experimental support: Assist senior scientists with experimental work, data collection, analysis and write-up.
• Research network management: Maintaining and expand the newly established network of CKD researchers in the country and the region.
• Scoping and gap analysis: Conduct scoping activities to synthesize existing knowledge in CKD, identify key gaps, and assist in designing and conducting new research studies.
• Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including bioinformatics, clinical, and technical teams, to integrate research findings into broader NCD-related projects.

Core Requirements:

• Master’s degree in biomedical sciences
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in laboratory-related research experience
• At least one 1st authored publication
• At least 2 years of experience in project management and data management

Added Advantage:

• 3 years of experience in NCD related field

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Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage research projects, including ethics submissions, data collection, report writing and working within timelines and budgets
• Proposal writing
• Development of study protocols including laboratory SOPs
• Conduct quantitative analyses and write-up for scientific publication.
• Present research results to funders and/or collaborators at local and/or national meetings and conferences.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external scientists.

Core Requirements:

• Master’s degree related to environmental chemistry, chemistry or similar
• Proficiency in methods like chromatography, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopy for analyzing environmental samples
• At least five years research experience working on environmental health issues within a research institute or related environment
• At least 2 - 3 years’ experience in project management within environmental health
• One 1st authored publication in a national/international peer-reviewed journal.
• Ability to write successful grant proposals
• Experience with capacity building
• Ability to present a local and international conferences

Advantageous:

• Progress towards PhD
• 6 years’ experience

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Responsibilities:

• Publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• To apply for research funding from national and international stakeholders.
• To co-supervise postgraduate students (Master’s and PhD).
• Co-Principal Investigator on research projects.
• Review of international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Review research grants and abstracts for conferences.
• Presentations at national/ international conferences or seminars.
• Effectively manage, train and develop students and staff.
• Assist with the management of the MRG and involvement in SAMRC administrative/community engagement processes.
• To advance transformation by mentoring and building capacity in accordance with the SAMRC’s Employment Equity Plan
• To develop, implement and monitor progress of the Transformation Strategy of the Unit.

Core Requirements

• PhD in field entomology, biology or environmental science
• 3 years relevant working experience of malaria issues within a research institute or related environment.
• 3 years project management experience within environmental health
• A minimum of 5 peer reviewed ISI journal articles, 3 as first author.
• PI on a research project and working on 1 other project
• 2 oral presentations at international conferences.

Advantageous:

• 3 years in a research environment working on entomology and environmental health
• 3 years research experience working on malarial research and control research fieldwork, data analysis, data collection, report and article writing