Scientist

**PRIMATE UNIT & DELFT ANIMAL CENTRE**

**(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.

**Scientist (S)**

**Duration: Permanent**

Primate Unit & Delft Animal Centre (PUDAC) constitutes a team of pre-clinical scientists, laboratory animal technologists and research technicians. Our core business is to produce new knowledge and to provide pre-clinical and vaccine development research support, animal models and animal management services for biomedical research. PUDAC seeks to appoint a highly self-motivated and suitably qualified Scientist to conduct research studies at PUDAC by performing scientific duties such as co-ordination of laboratory research, managing, processing and preservation of research specimens, setting up of laboratory assays, implementing laboratory protocols & read-outs according to standard operating procedures (SOPs), management of scientific data, research activity report writing and dissemination of data. The outcome of these activities is to provide research services to support the preclinical studies being conducted at PUDAC, that comply with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) under biosafety levels 2 (BSL-2).

**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)
- 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

A salary in the region of **R 534 050.00 **per annum, cost-to-company, will be negotiated in consideration of experience and qualifications

**Closing date: 18 October 2024**

**PLEASE** **QUOTE** **THE** **REFERENCE** **NUMBER** **(R786A)** **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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