Scientist Seasoned, Burden of Disease Research Unit, Cape Town

The Unit requires the services of a Scientist with a Public Health and/or Epidemiology background to provide inputs on a large collaborative research project to estimate the contribution of selected risk factors on the burden of disease experienced in South Africa.

The successful candidate is required to assume the following duties:

• Undertake systematic review of literature and data sources in a focused area.
• Analyse epidemiological data on the incidence, prevalence and case fatality of selected diseases.
• Analyse trends in the prevalence of selected risk factors.   
• Write scientific reports and papers for publication.
• Present research results at local and national conferences and meetings.

Key competencies and skills required:

• Systematic thinking and planning to ensure competent documentation of data-sourcing and data-review steps and methods.
• Strong quantitative skills.
• Knowledge of the epidemiology of at least one health problem in South Africa.
• Problem solving skills.
• Ability to organise own time around activities to meet project deadlines.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Minimum requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent NQF level 7 qualification in Epidemiology or Public Health (MPH).
• A minimum of 2-years of public health research experience.
• Experience with managing data and statistical analysis in STATA and Excel.
• Computer literacy in MS packages and electronic literature searching.
• A track record of a co-authored peer-review publication in the field of Public Health and/or Epidemiology and/or Burden of Disease.
• Relevant referee-confirmed experience.

3-year contract. A cost-to-company remuneration package of R312 487 – R345 290 per annum is offered.

Forward your application, comprising of a full CV, a cover letter of motivation, contact details of three referees, and certified hard copies of formal qualifications (mailed), to Ms Janet Ndimande, Human Capital Management Division, MRC, PO Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505 or fax (021) 938-0829 or via e-mail to: recruitment@mrc.ac.za

Closing date: 21 March 2014

PLEASE QUOTE THE REFERENCE NUMBER (R712) IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS. CERTIFIED COPIES OF YOUR ID AND HIGHEST FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THIS APPLICATION. SHOULD YOUR APPLICATION NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS, IT WILL UNFORTUNATELY NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Should no feedback be received within 30 days after closing date, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful. The MRC retains the right not to make an appointment. In accordance with MRC’s Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from the designated groups. For this reason we require Race, Gender and Disability status to be specified. Disabled persons are welcome to apply.