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

Responsibilities:

• Developing study protocols and proposals (for senior post, also income generating)
• Managing research projects including developing and managing SOPs, protocols, research tools, and dissemination activities (for senior post, also budget management)
• Conducting the qualitative or quantitative analysis of interviews, group discussions, or datasets
• Supervising and capacity development of study staff
• Maintaining stakeholder relationships
• Supporting administrative procedures of the study project (procurement, study logs, and operational plans)
• Developing and publishing knowledge translation products including peer-reviewed articles, presentations, infographics, and reports

Core Requirements:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, psychology, disability or rehabilitation studies or similar field (for senior post, also a submitted PhD)
• At least 2 years of experience in research focused on disability, rehabilitation, or mental health (for senior post, 5 years of experience)
• At least 2 years of experience post-masters specializing either in quantitative or qualitative data collection and analysis (for senior post, 3 or 5 years of experience)
• At least 2 years of project management experience including research coordination, dissemination activities and stakeholder engagements
• At least 2 publications (paper or report) with 1 first-authored (for senior post, 5 publications with 2 first-authored)
• Experience in grant writing as a PI or Co-PI (for senior post, experience as a PI or Co-I)
• Proficiency with either qualitative data analysis software (NVIVO or ATLAS-ti) or quantitative software and analysis (R or Stata)
• Coordinating workshops, webinars and trainings.

Advantageous:

• Any experience greater than that which is stated above

go to method of application »

Responsibilities:

IP management and technology transfer support

• Identify potential IP within the SAMRC.
• Facilitate evaluation of IP by undertaking novelty assessments and market research.
• Provide administrative support for patent and trademark prosecution.
• Assist with management of the SAMRC’s obligations in terms of the IPR Act.
• Keep abreast with practice notes updated from NIPMO and relevant legislature.
• Prepare IP Awareness marketing materials and promotion of this content within the SAMRC.

Management of the SAMRC Project Portfolio

Manage projects within the TIA Seed fund, MeDDIC and Innovation portfolios including:

• Facilitating and providing administrative support for RFAs.
• Providing administrative support for proposal reviews, approvals and project awards.
• Provide administration and secretariat function for the SAMRC-TIA Seed Fund Steering Committee.

Stakeholder liaison

• Collaborate & interact with other TTOs and inventors, universities, industry, and other research and development entities.
• Independently liaise with internal stakeholders: GIPD Program Manager and Executive Director, Other GIPD staff, Support department staff, SAMRC researchers.
• Facilitate and participate in meetings/delegations with external stakeholders.
• Market the technology transfer office and technologies.
• Facilitate the preparation of stakeholder communication materials (e.g. agenda, website material, presentations, reports, marketing materials, press releases, project pamphlets, etc.).

GIPD Program Activities

• Participate in other GIPD meetings and activities.
• Provide support for other health innovation sector development activities.

Core Requirements:

• 3 Year tertiary qualification preferably in a science discipline.
• Completion of at least one recognized IP/Tech Transfer training workshop.
• At least 2-3 years of relevant experience in the field of technology transfer, innovation management, IP management and/or commercialisation.

Advantageous:

• 2 – 3 years’ experience in a technology transfer office.
• Experience in general innovation support/ management.

go to method of application »

Responsibilities:

• Formulate research proposals and conduct/coordinate research projects independently
• Processing of biological samples including isolation of PBMCs and nucleic acids from nonhuman primates’ biological samples (blood, tissues and stool)
• Implementation of tissue culture methods including propagation and titration of SIV/SHIV and other BSL-2 pathogens of research interest
• Successful execution of a variety of immunological assays (e.g. Elispot, ELISA), parasitological tests (e.g. Kato-Katz), molecular biology methods (e.g. Real time PCR) and other relevant laboratory assays of research interest
• Ensure accuracy and precision of laboratory results and procedures during pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical.
• Ensure SAMRC policies and unit operational protocols are observed, understood and implemented
• Work with statistical and bioinformatics software packages e.g. GraphPad Prism, MedCalc, ClustalW, or R
• Presentation at local and international conferences, workshops, seminars and research related meetings
• Produce and submit research outputs/articles to peer-reviewed international journals for publication
• Collaborate with other researchers, providing laboratory expertise, and ensuring publications adhere to scientific standards and best practices.
• Provide technical and laboratory research support to scientists and PUDAC’s clients
• Provide technical and scientific training to junior staff and PUDAC-hosted postgraduate students
• Assist in managing all operational aspects of the molecular and immunology laboratories, including procurement and management of laboratory kits, consumables and stock inventory
• Assist PUDAC with servicing of laboratory equipment, SCM/HR/IT/Risk & Asset/Finance related matters and ordering of goods through JDE

Core Requirements:

• Master of Science (MSc genetics or Molecular Biology)
• At least 3-5 years' experience in using nonhuman primates (NHPs) as a research model
• Experience in providing support in molecular biology, genetics and immunology/virology and assist in managing the sufficient operation of laboratories
• Evidence of scientific outputs in form of published articles in peer-reviewed international journals and presentations in scientific conferences
• Exposure in data management, analysis, interpretation and presentation
• Collection and storage of biological samples and quality control
• Bioinformatics tools implementation
• Willing to undergo regular TB testing and required health checks

Advantageous:

• Exposure to laboratory research environment using nonhuman primate models and coordination of projects
• Knowledge/experience in molecular, immunology and virology assay workflows
• Experience working in an animal laboratory environment.
• 3-5 years’ practical experience with basic immunology and molecular biology techniques including PBMCs, protein and RNA isolation, ELISA, cell culture, cheminformatics and PCR
• Demonstrate communication, presentation, reporting and writing skills