Chief Specialist Scientist: Cancer & NCD Leader

SkillsMap; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,526,000 - 1,865,000; Full time

Job summary

The South African Medical Research Council invites applications for a Chief Specialist Scientist (E) based in Cape Town. The role provides strategic leadership in BRIP's cancer and NCD molecular research, spearheading multidisciplinary programmes and translating findings into public health impact.

You will secure national and international funding, supervise postgraduate students, publish extensively, and contribute to unit management, transformation, and precision medicine initiatives.

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Epidemiology, or related field.
• ISI-indexed publications: at least 40 with 12 as first author.
• Internationally recognised leader in cancer with NRF C1 (pending) or equivalent standing.
• Proven track record of securing and leading major research grants; cumulative income > R10 million as PI.
• Supervise MSc and PhD students; minimum 10 graduated.
• Leadership and management in cancer research; mentorship and capacity development.
• Experience in budgeting, financial oversight, and risk management.
• Membership of national and international scientific bodies/committees.
• Collaborate to build an effective team; strong scientific writing and stakeholder engagement.
• University affiliation at Associate/Full Professor level.
• >20 years experience in molecular/cell biology in NCD/cancer.
• Understanding of ethical standards in human subjects research.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in cancer and/or NCD molecular research within the unit.
• Initiate, lead, and manage national and international multidisciplinary research programmes.
• Conduct high-impact translational research and publish in ISI-indexed journals as first or senior author.
• Secure and manage substantial national and international grant funding as PI.
• Lead and implement research strategy, innovation, and capacity development initiatives.
• Supervise and mentor postgraduate students, postdocs, and early-career scientists.
• Foster and maintain strategic collaborations with academic, governmental, clinical, and international partners.
• Translate research findings into public health impact, policy contributions, and outputs.
• Present findings at national/international conferences, including keynote talks.
• Contribute to unit management, budgeting, reporting, and risk management.
• Support transformation and equity initiatives within SAMRC and BRIP.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Grant funding

Postgraduate supervision

High-impact publications

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting & management

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related field

Associate/Full Professor university affiliation

20+ years molecular/cell biology in NCD/cancer

NRF C1 (pending)

MBChB (advantage)

Job description

The South African Medical Research Council invites applications for a Chief Specialist Scientist (E) based in Cape Town. The role provides strategic leadership in BRIP's cancer and NCD molecular research, spearheading multidisciplinary programmes and translating findings into public health impact.

You will secure national and international funding, supervise postgraduate students, publish extensively, and contribute to unit management, transformation, and precision medicine initiatives.