Senior Researcher (PhD in Physiology - 12 Months Fixed Term Contract - Wits DPHRU)

Main purpose of the job:

• To lead, design, manage, and deliver high-impact cardiovascular research within the GenHueart Project. The role is responsible for scientific direction, data-driven analysis, publication output, and postgraduate supervision
• The post holder provides intellectual leadership across cardiovascular physiology, epidemiology, and biostatistics, while ensuring research quality, compliance, and sustainability

Location:

• DPHRU - Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto

Key performance areas:

• Lead the conceptualisation, design, and scientific direction of cancer research studies and multi-site research programme
• Define research questions, analytical frameworks, and methodological approaches
• Ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, and alignment with national and global cancer research priorities

• Ensure ethical approval, regulatory compliance, and governance for all studies
• Oversee data stewardship, access control, and data sharing in line with institutional and funder policies
• Ensure compliance with POPIA, funder data sharing policies, and best practice in responsible research

• Lead advanced statistical analyses
• Interpret complex dataset
• Provide senior scientific input into analytical decisions and troubleshooting
• Oversee and review analytical outputs produced by junior staff and students

• Lead manuscript development from concept to submission
• Serve as senior or corresponding author on key outputs
• Present research findings at national and international conferences
• Translate findings for policy, clinical, or public health audiences where relevant

• Supervise MSc and PhD students to timely completion
• Mentor early-career researchers and postdoctoral fellows
• Build analytical and methodological capacity within the unit

• Provide oversight to ensure effective and efficient implementation of approved budget/s for the study programmes and projects
• Provide oversight to ensure that study budgets are executed in line with applicable policies and procedures
• Provide oversight to ensure that contract management is in line with applicable policies and procedures
• Compile relevant management reports regularly
• Support/assist operations staff in ensuring IT infrastructure and systems are in place & enable efficient working

• Take ownership and accountability of the work and demonstrate effective self-management
• Follow through to ensure that the quality and productivity standards of one's own work are consistently and accurately maintained
• Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback
• Take ownership of driving one's own career by participating in ongoing training and development activities

Required minimum education and training:

• PhD in Physiology
• Strong training in quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research design and biostatistical skills
• Formal research ethics and governance training (e.g., GCP Certification where relevant) highly advantageous
• Demonstrated academic writing and publication track record

Required minimum work experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in applied research, programme evaluation, or academic research environments
• Experience managing research teams, fieldwork, and complex project implementation
• Experience in ethics applications, data governance, and regulatory compliance
• Proven experience in data analysis, publication development, and multidisciplinary research delivery

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:

• Experience in cardiovascular physiology, public health, epidemiology and biostatistics
• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent organisational, administrative, and project management capabilities
• Ability to manage multiple high-level deliverables simultaneously
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in complex interdisciplinary environments
• Commitment to research ethics, scientific integrity, and social impact
• High level of initiative in career development, academic advancement, and institutional contribution

TO APPLY:

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV including a Cover Letter (One pager) which clearly states why you are applying for this position
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and 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
• 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
• Closing date: 19 May 2026
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

 Please note:

• WHC, in accordance with its 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
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position