Medical Scientist

**Main purpose of the job**:

- The primary focus will be on utilizing your expertise in the Immunology of infectious disease, along with your specialized skills in Luminex assay, functional antibody assays, and cell-mediated immunity, to investigate and develop novel approaches to combat infectious diseases

**Location**:

- **Wits - Vaccines & Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit**:

- **Located: Wits Learning Centre, Soweto, Johannesburg - South Africa**

**About the post and Wits-VIDA**:

- Wits-VIDA is an internationally recognized research Unit in the field of Vaccinology under the Directorship of Prof Shabir Madhi
- Wits-VIDA is an established extramural research unit of the South African Medical Research Council and has been in existence since 1996
- Wits-VIDA is a dynamic research unit involved in cutting-edge research spanning from basic science (molecular and vaccines), phase I-IV vaccine clinical trials mainly on respiratory pathogens (grant and industry-funded), and epidemiology studies on vaccine-preventable diseases
- Wits-VIDA is a multi-disciplinary research Unit, which has a staff complement of 500 grant-funded individuals
- The research laboratory at Wits-VIDA has a staff complement of 70 individuals and is involved in multiple studies and provides a training platform for post-graduate students in the fields of vaccinology, virology, and microbiology
- **_Wits-VIDA seeks to employ an Immunologist, preferably with a background in microbiology or virology, at a senior scientist level to lead the Immunology component of the Unit_**:

- develop their own research agenda beyond what currently exists at its-VIDA_
- _The post is a fully-funded full-time position, and ideal for an individual who is at a mid-career level, with strong experience in setting up multiantigen_
- Luminex assay platform, as well as functional antibody assays and cell-mediated immunity assays_
- _The successful individual will be a joint-staff member at the University of the Witwatersrand, and his/her academic title will be based on criteria at the Faculty of Health Sciences_

**Key performance areas**:

- Conducting advanced research in Immunology and Microbiology
- Performing Luminex assay, functional antibody assays, and cell-mediated immunity experiments
- Designing and implementing experiments, collecting and analyzing data
- Developing and optimizing assays and methodologies
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive research projects
- Presenting findings at scientific conferences and publishing in reputable journals
- Mentoring Junior Scientists and contributing to the scientific community

**Required minimum education and training**:

- **PhD (or equivalent) in the field of Immunology with suitable training in Microbiology and/or Virology**

**Required minimum work experience**:

- **Minimum 8 -10 years experience in a Clinical Research Laboratory**:

- **Proven experience in conducting independent research in Immunology, Microbiology, and Virology**

**Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities**:

- Proficiency in Luminex assay techniques, functional antibody assays, and cell-mediated immunity assays
- Strong publication record in reputable scientific journals
- In-depth knowledge of infectious diseases and host immune responses
- Experience with a wide range of immunological assays and techniques
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment

**TO APPLY**:

- Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
- Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
- Note AJ Personnel is fully POPI compliant.
- Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.

**Please note**:

- **AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.**:

- **AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.