Specialist Scientist

BURDEN OF DISEASE RESEARCH UNIT

(CAPE TOWN OFFICE)

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) strives to improve the nation’s health and quality of life by funding and conducting relevant and leading health research. It further aims to promote equity, career development and progression.

SPECIALIST SCIENTIST (E) / SPECIALIST SCIENTIST (S) /

SENIOR SPECIALIST SCIENTIST

Duration: 5-year contract

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is seeking to appoint a Specialist Scientist (E) / Specialist Scientist (S) / Senior Specialist Scientist in its Burden of Disease Research Unit (BODRU). BODRU collects and analyses data on South Africa’s health status to estimate and monitor the burden of disease (the impact of health problems) and factors associated with the health of the population. The Unit provides information on the trends in the country’s health status as well as causes of disease and death for future planning to improve the health of the nation. It has developed exceptional expertise in summary health measures, health surveys, and mortality data and health informatics analysis. The post holder must actively contribute to the SAMRC’s transformation agenda.

**Responsibilities**:

- To provide expertise in study design, evaluation of study protocols, management of large datasets, questionnaires, survey methods and statistical analysis.
- Conduct advanced biostatistical/analytical modelling using both Bayesian and classical statistics.
- Provide statistical support to risk factor leads to perform comparative risk assessment analysis.
- Develop tools for the efficient replication of burden of disease estimation or comparative risk assessment analysis.
- Lead and/or contribute to papers for publication in national and international peer-reviewed journals.
- Disseminate research findings through national and international conference presentations, webinars, infographics, and data visualisation.
- Identify research opportunities and develop protocols to generate income for such research.
- Inform policy and programme implementation from relevant research evidence and scientific literature.
- Provide insight to statistical skills requirements for the unit, in consultation with senior management colleagues.
- Establish and sustain relationships with academic institutions to foster collaboration in research projects and burden of disease curriculum development, training, and supervision of students; and
- Advance capacity development and transformation in the unit by mentoring and supervising junior colleagues as needed, including in burden of disease methodology, advanced biostatistical analysis and data dissemination.

Core Requirements:

- PhD in Public Health, Biostatistics/Statistics, Epidemiology, or Demography.
- Minimum of 5 years post-PhD research experience with an interest in burden of disease estimation.
- Experience as a Principal Investigator on a research study.
- Experience in design, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of cross-sectional, epidemiological or observational studies.
- Experience with advanced analytical and biostatistical analysis (both Bayesian and classical statistics).
- Experience in managing large datasets and calibrating data using statistical modelling techniques.
- Writing of technical reports and publication of scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
- Experience in mentoring and building capacity in the discipline; contributing to transformation initiatives.

Advantageous:

- Excellent knowledge and experience of existing national health surveys.
- More than 5 years post-PhD research experience.
- Experience in burden of disease analysis and/or comparative risk assessment studies.
- Academic teaching, course development and skills transfer.
- Knowledge and experience in multi-morbidity (or related) research.
- Skilled in automated reporting using LaTex or similar programming.
- Advanced knowledge of Stata or R for modelling and analysis.
- Having acquired funding for research as a Principal Investigator.

A salary in the region of R1 025 391 (Specialist Scientist -Entry level) or R1 198 489 (Specialist Scientist -Seasoned level) or R1 332 356 (Senior Specialist Scientist) will be offered, cost-to-company, dependent on qualifications and research experience.

Closing date: 17 July 2023

PLEASE QUOTE THE REFERENCE NUMBER (R611A) IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOUR SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED SHOULD YOUR APPLICATION NOT BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION.

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