Senior Research Fellow, Infectious Diseases

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Excellent medical coverage

Retirement plan options

Research support

Travel to scientific conferences

Job summary

Placements24's client, a renowned research institute, seeks a Senior Research Fellow in Infectious Diseases to lead independent projects in Queenstown. You will study pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious agents, publish in high-impact journals, and help secure external funding.

You will mentor junior researchers, collaborate with clinicians and public health officials, and ensure compliance with ethical and safety guidelines at the Queenstown facility.

Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, or related field with focus on infectious diseases.
• Minimum 7 years postdoctoral experience in infectious diseases.
• Proven track record of independent research with high-impact publications.
• Experience securing competitive research funding (grants).
• Extensive hands-on experience with cell culture, PCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, etc.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to mentor junior researchers and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and manage infectious disease research projects.
• Investigate molecular mechanisms of pathogen infection and host-pathogen interactions.
• Develop diagnostic tools and therapies for infectious diseases.
• Conduct lab experiments in molecular biology, immunology, and microbiology.
• Publish findings in high-impact journals.
• Write and submit grant proposals to secure external funding.
• Present research at national and international conferences.
• Mentor junior researchers and students.
• Collaborate with clinicians, epidemiologists, and public health officials.
• Ensure ethical and safety compliance at Queenstown facility.

Skills

Independent researcher

Grant proposals

Mentoring

Communication

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Microbiology/Immunology

7+ years postdoctoral experience

Tools

PCR

Western blot

ELISA

Flow cytometry

Cell culture

Molecular cloning

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned research institute dedicated to combating global health challenges, is seeking a Senior Research Fellow specializing in Infectious Diseases to join their dynamic team in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This senior scientific role involves leading independent research projects focused on understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious agents. The fellow will contribute significantly to the institute's mission by conducting innovative research, publishing findings in high-impact journals, and securing external funding. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a tangible impact on public health within the Queenstown community and beyond. We foster a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment, encouraging groundbreaking discoveries in infectious disease research.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and manage research projects related to infectious diseases.
• Investigate the molecular mechanisms of pathogen infection and host-pathogen interactions.
• Develop and validate novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases.
• Conduct laboratory experiments using molecular biology, immunology, and microbiology techniques.
• Analyze and interpret complex experimental data, drawing meaningful conclusions.
• Write and submit grant proposals to secure research funding from external sources.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research at national and international scientific conferences.
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and students.
• Collaborate with clinicians, epidemiologists, and public health officials.
• Ensure compliance with all ethical guidelines and safety regulations in the Queenstown facility.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, or a related field with a strong focus on infectious diseases.
• Minimum of 7 years of postdoctoral research experience in infectious diseases.
• Demonstrated track record of independent research, evidenced by high-impact publications.
• Proven ability to secure competitive research funding (e.g., grants).
• Extensive hands-on experience with relevant laboratory techniques (e.g., cell culture, molecular cloning, PCR, western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry).
• Experience in virology, bacteriology, or parasitology relevant to human infectious diseases.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for scientific writing and presentations.
• Demonstrated leadership potential and ability to mentor junior scientists.
• Experience working within the Queenstown research community or similar is beneficial.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent medical coverage, retirement plan options, and generous research support.
• This position is based at our well-equipped facility in Queenstown, providing a stimulating research environment.
• Opportunities for professional development, including travel to scientific conferences and specialized training, are provided.
• The institute fosters a culture of scientific collaboration, innovation, and dedication to improving global health outcomes.
• We support work-life balance and offer a rewarding career path for passionate researchers in the field of infectious diseases.