Senior Scientist

Job Reference Number: R946A

Department: Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit

Business Unit

Industry: Research

Job Type: Permanent

Positions Available: 1

Salary: Market Related

The Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit (NCDRU) seeks to appoint a Senior Scientist to contribute to the strategic growth of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health research.

The Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit (NCDRU) seeks to appoint a Senior Scientist to contribute to the strategic growth of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health research. The successful candidate will provide specialised biomedical research expertise to strengthen and complement existing public health research within the Unit.

The role will focus on generating high-quality scientific evidence to inform interventions, policy and practice, while contributing to innovation, collaboration, and research capacity development aligned with SAMRC priorities.

The post holder will assist with and form an integral part of the SAMRC’s transformation agenda.

Responsibilities will include

• Conduct innovative, high-impact biomedical and public health research
• Plan, coordinate and implement studies in line with scientific, ethical and regulatory requirements
• Undertake research on biomarkers and risk factors, including epigenetic and molecular analyses
• Analyse and manage research data and contribute to the development of standard operating procedures
• Publish scientific outputs in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific forums
• Secure and contribute to competitive research funding and grant applications
• Engage in research translation activities, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach
• Mentor and co-supervise postgraduate students and contribute to capacity development
• Contribute to SAMRC and NCDRU initiatives, including administration and reporting

Duration of the contract.

• Permanent

Remuneration

• A salary in the region of R715 505.00 per annum will be offered, cost-to-company, dependent on qualifications and research experience.

Core requirements

• Master’s degree in biomedical science or related field
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in RNA extraction and microRNA profiling
• 3 years’ experience in DNA extraction and DNA methylation analysis
• Experience in functional gene silencing and overexpression in tissue culture models
• At least two lifetime publications, including one as first author
• Proven record of presentations at national conferences
• Experience co-supervising postgraduate students

Added Advantage

• PhD in a relevant field
• Experience in biomarker discovery during pregnancy and postpartum
• Epigenetic analysis experience
• Western blot analysis
• Publication record in Epigenetics

Closing date

• 30 June 2026