Job Description

The Public Health, Societies and Belonging research division within the HSRC employs a multi-disciplinary group of social scientists and public health specialists who conduct numerous empirical and policy-related studies each year, three-quarters of which are donor-funded. The Public Health, Societies and Belonging division conducts transdisciplinary, intersectional, policy and programme-relevant research to improve health, well-being and promote a socially just and cohesive society.PHSB has offices in Pretoria, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The division seeks to appoint two Chief Research Specialists to join a dynamic team of researchers in the HSRC community. The incumbent will be based in one of the HSRC offices.CHIEF RESEARCH SPECIALIST (Pretoria, Durban or Cape Town)3 post-permanentReference: CRS PHSB 2024The PHSB programme seeks to appoint a dynamic individual with either a Ph.D. in either Social Science, Public Health, Biostatistics or Epidemiology as well as 10 years of appropriate research experience. The vacancy is in the Identity and Belonging sub-unit, in Pretoria, or Cape Town and the appointment will be made in January 2025
Minimum Requirements

• A Doctorate in Social Sciences, Epidemiology, Biostatistics or Public Health with at least 10 years of experience in research;
• An established research career as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals or project reports (12+ publications);
• Strength in epidemiological research methods and design;
• Research experience in gender studies, GBV, mental health, tuberculosis and/or HIV, or NCDs;
• An interest in one of the priority research areas of PHSB will be an advantage
• A sound grounding in research methods, especially quantitative approaches, will be a strong recommendation;
• Intellectual and personal integrity, imagination, and drive;
• A strong user orientation, based on a commitment to addressing public health issues;
• The ability and enthusiasm to engage as a leader and team player in large-scale multi-disciplinary research, to lead and manage research teams, and to mentor and train their members;
• The versatility to apply quantitative and qualitative methodologies to challenging subject matter across disciplinary boundaries will be advantageous;
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• Good communication and leadership skills;
• An excellent networking and fundraising track record;
• Sound knowledge of quantitative data management and data analysis skills;
• Proficiency in or working experience with some of the following data software packages: STATA, Epi Info, SPSS, Nvivo, AtlasTI or other relevant statistical packages;

Duties & ResponsibilitiesThe Chief Research Specialist will be expected to participate in all aspects of the research process as he/she works with staff on research projects. In addition to the responsibility to publish journal articles, a Chief Research Specialist will contribute to the sustainable growth of the PHSB Research Programme.

• Leading and conducting high level scholarly research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies which meet the challenge of peer review, and has both strategic and policy relevance;
• Networking with major users and funders of Public Health research to understand their research needs;
• Responding to calls for proposals and formulating grant applications;
• Delivering high-quality results and reports to budget and deadline;
• Communicating research findings in national and international conferences, publishing papers in refereed journals as well as publishing policy briefs and technical reports
• Building national and international research links;

• Liaise with stakeholders on issues regarding project and fieldwork;

• Support biomedical aspects of projects;

• Ability and willingness to mentor young researchers is also a key requirement;

• Contribute to all the Key Performance Areas and Key Performance Indicators of the HSC Research Programme.

HSRC