Medical Scientist (Immunology - Wits VIDA)

Main purpose of the job:

• To lead scientific portfolios and research with a focus on immunology laboratory-based projects
• To supplement academic training of students and staff in the research unit and supervise students and projects

Location:

• Nurses’ Residence, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto - Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

Research design, Implementation and Reporting:

Research design, grants, collaborations

• Develop and write research and funding proposals as and when required including protocols and SOPs for qualitative or quantitative studies
• Explore and propose new avenues of scientific and/or clinical research
• Develop and design research approaches and research tools
• Manage and develop scientific research collaborations
• Drive research agenda and interests within the context of the overall organisation strategy
• Write and review progress reports to stakeholders including internal, as well as networks and funders, as required

Research implementation and management

• Provide project coordination support ensuring protocols align with project timelines/GANTT charts and budgets
• Provide input and assist other team members in designing, testing, standardising relevant or new assays and research approaches

Research outputs & reporting

• Analysis of immunological or relevant scientific data
• Conduct data analysis and interpretation and write up results for scientific publication
• Publish and present research outputs, which includes developing and conducting independent scientific research
• Present scientific data at local and international congresses and publish research in peer-reviewed journals
• Draft, review and present all other reports as required including, for example, industry guidelines, policy recommendations, technical reviews, systematic reviews

Student Supervision:

• Supervise/co-supervise postgraduate student projects
• Participate in training for needed laboratory methods, presentation skills, critical evaluation of scientific approaches and scientific reports, and all other skills required of postgraduate students
• Review thesis, manuscripts etc and examination of postgraduate theses
• Develop strategies to increase and maintain commitment needed to complete the higher degree
• Contribute in an appropriate manner to the University in the form of teaching, administrative roles and academic management

Laboratory Management:

• Monitor and oversee laboratory performance in conjunction with unit leadership, senior scientists and laboratory management to ensure objectives are achieved in terms of staffing levels, turnaround times, and cost containment, minimization of wastage, quality and internal client service (resource management and reporting)
• Implement corrective action to address problem areas in conjunction with senior scientist and laboratory manager
• Assist with oversight, development, implementation and maintenance of standard operating procedures for various aspects of pre-laboratory and laboratory environments
• Participate in regular laboratory meetings to review SOPs, quality assurance, data management, safety, etc. in conjunction with the senior scientist/s and laboratory management
• Carry out research as per the grant funded objectives in accordance with GCLP principles
• Maintain the sterility of the laboratory and all associated areas in accordance with GCLP and ISO guidelines as required

Staff Management:

• Lead cross-functional teams and supervise high standards of work outputs to promote productivity
• Work with management to empower and develop teams or individuals as skills needs or deficiencies are identified
• Foster an environment that promotes talent recognition, development as well as agency and individual leadership; promote harmony, teamwork and sharing of information
• Mentor, coach and facilitate personal and professional development
• Ensure teams comply with policies, unit standards and administrative and internal communications requirements; promote company policies, strategies and values
• Manage staff effectively including accountability, performance, conduct, efficient working, processes and corrective action on sub-standard performance and issues, as required
• Demonstrative effective delegation and decision-making (apply considered secretion and professional insight)
• Support and drive effective resource management including short- and long-term staffing requirements, optimal staff utilisation and maintain sound labour relations

Effective Self-Management and Performance Ownership:

• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and productivity and demonstrate effective self-management
• Actively and consistently maintain high standards of professionalism in all aspects of personal presentation and delivery
• Apply knowledge of the organisational systems, structures, policies and procedures to achieve results
• Follow through to ensure that productivity standards are consistently and accurately maintained and provide appropriate resolution for challenges
• Support and drive the organisation’s core values
• Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback; manage own disruptive emotions and stress
• Take ownership for driving own career development
• Take responsibility of timekeeping
• You may be required to perform other duties and responsibilities within your abilities at the request of your line manager as per WHC terms and conditions of employment

Required minimum education and training:

• PhD in Biological or Medical Science or suitable related field

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in an infectious disease research laboratory, medical microbiology, immunology or clinical pathology laboratory

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:

• Extensive professional experience and will be able to demonstrate a reputation in the filed based on achievements in research
• Certification in Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) and basic health and safety
• Ordered, systematic and analytical
• Exceptional organisational attention to detail and administration skills with working knowledge of Microsoft office and laboratory systems
• Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines
• Assertive and confident
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team

Demands of the job:

• Work in a pressurized environment in meeting turnaround times in high volumes
• Undertake appropriate administrative tasks as directed by the director/research director
• Able to give a degree of strategic direction to scientific research projects and directly supervise student projects
• Required to utilize all resources cost effectively
• Able to assume responsibility for health/safety rules, particularly biosafety rules, and their implementation
• Is potentially at risk to be exposed to hazardous and infectious samples

Communications and relationships:

• Liaise and maintain effective working relationships with team members and management
• Liaise effectively with staff, donors and other health workers

Competencies Required: Baseline:

• Reliability, integrity, accountability, diversity, self-awareness

Competencies Required: Category Specific:

• Analytical thinking, adaptability, initiative, flexibility, leading and developing others

TO APPLY:

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration on Ditto Hire (our application tracking system) to enable and protect you as a candidate to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions. This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL. However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 07 November 2024.
• Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.

Please note:

• AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.