Senior Health Systems Research Scientist

South African Medical Research Council; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 644,000 - 787,000; Full time

Job summary

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Health Systems Research Unit seeks a Senior Scientist on a one-year contract to support the ALIGN project. The role focuses on generating high-quality health systems research to inform policy and strengthen decision-making locally and globally.

The post holder will contribute to research capacity development, collaboration, and SAMRC transformation. Location: Pretoria or Cape Town; remuneration negotiable in line with experience.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, clinical epidemiology, or related field.
• 3–5 years’ experience in health research environment with evidence synthesis expertise.
• 2 lifetime publications as author or co-author.
• Knowledge of systematic reviews or health systems research.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and support scoping, rapid and systematic reviews across clinical effectiveness, safety, health economics, qualitative evidence and health system strengthening.
• Support design and implementation of health policy analysis and health systems research studies using recognised frameworks.
• Translate research findings into manuscripts, policy briefs and reports; present at conferences.
• Capacitiy development including supervision of Masters’ students and mentoring.
• Contribute to unit life through journal clubs and research days.

Skills

Evidence synthesis

Systematic reviews

Policy analysis

Mentoring

Education

Master’s degree in public health/epidemiology

Job description

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Health Systems Research Unit seeks a Senior Scientist on a one-year contract to support the ALIGN project. The role focuses on generating high-quality health systems research to inform policy and strengthen decision-making locally and globally.

The post holder will contribute to research capacity development, collaboration, and SAMRC transformation. Location: Pretoria or Cape Town; remuneration negotiable in line with experience.