The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) seeks to appoint a Specialist Scientist (Entry) within the Burden of Disease Research Unit (BODRU). The Unit conducts research and analyses to monitor South Africa’s health status, burden of disease, mortality patterns, and population health trends. BODRU provides evidence to inform health planning and policy and has established expertise in mortality surveillance, health surveys, summary health measures, and health informatics.

The successful candidate will contribute to mortality and burden of disease research through the analysis of mortality and cause-of-death data, monitoring excess mortality and mortality trends, and supporting the estimation of national and provincial mortality indicators. The incumbent will contribute to burden of disease studies, data quality improvement initiatives, scientific publications, technical reports, and presentations at national and international forums.

The successful candidate will also contribute to research collaboration, capacity development, innovation, and the SAMRC’s transformation agenda.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership within the research programme.
• Lead grant applications, research projects, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Produce and publish high-quality scientific outputs.
• Mentor and supervise researchers and students.
• Promote evidence-based policy and practice through research translation and advocacy.
• Ensure effective programme governance, financial management, monitoring, and reporting.

Location

• Cape Town

Duration

• Permanent

Remuneration.

• A salary in the region of R 1 111 367.00 per annum, cost-to-company, will be negotiated in consideration of experience and qualifications.

Core Requirements:

• PhD or MBChB with relevant Masters (epi, biostats, MPH, etc)
• 6 years’ experience in Epidemiology, Public Health or related fields.
• Record of 10 lifetime publications (ISI journal articles, editorials or book chapters and technical reports) with at least 3 as first/senior author.
• PI of successful income generation/grant application of = R300,000 (NB: funds raised as a co-I/PI on a sub-project are not counted, nor non-research funds (conferences, course fees, etc.).
• Successfully supervised =3 post-graduate students to graduation.
• Record of translating professional, scientific or clinical expertise, new knowledge and research findings into public understanding, policy, and/or practice, to improve health.
• Experience in leading research project(s), including mentoring and managing a research team.
• Experience in budgeting, finance and risk management.
• Excellent interpersonal relations and communication skills

Closing Date

• 02 October 2026