Temporary Social Science: Principle Researcher Assistant

Desmond Tutu TB-Centre (DTTC)

Temporary Social Science: Principle Researcher Assistant

(Contract appointment until June 2019)

(Ref. TGB12/248/0818)

The Desmond Tutu TB Centre (DTTC) is located in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Stellenbosch University (SU). For over a decade, the DTTC has been conducting cutting edge, world-leading research on paediatric tuberculosis (TB) and associated public health challenges, including HIV. The DTTC has also nurtured core competencies in the social sciences. The social science unit currently employs over 30 people, including 20 postgraduate researchers from disciplines such as psychology, sociology, social anthropology, public health, and development studies. This multidisciplinary team is looking to recruit additional capacity for mixed-method social science projects. The incumbent's primary responsibilities will be to process and analyse qualitative data and to do academic writing and compile funding proposals for submission.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Possibilities to prepare for further studies at PhD level
• Regular interaction with international colleagues in a prominent research network

Duties:

• Head the implementation of analysis protocols.
• Draft manuscript sections for publication of results.
• Contribute to grant applications for funding.
• Contribute to data processing (capturing, transcription and translation) for analysis.
• Work with other members of the social science team to build the DTTC's social science agenda.
• Ensure that the social science agenda be implemented according to the agreed procedures and timeframes.
• Ensure that ethical requirements be fulfilled.
• ·Contribute to reports for donors and other stakeholders.
• Perform any other duty required by line management.

Job Requirements:

• A master's degree in psychology or sociology or anthropology or a cognate discipline;
• Five years' postgraduate work experience in an HIV/TB research environment;
• Experience analysing research;
• Co-authorship of one or more peer-reviewed manuscripts;
• Clear progression towards a PhD on a topic relevant to the DTTC's research agenda;
• Experience supervising entry-level or field staff;
• Experience conducting research in rural communities;
• Experience presenting research outputs;
• A solid, demonstrable grounding in a range of research methods;
• Sound interpersonal skills and experience working in a multidisciplinary team of social scientists;
• Excellent written communication skills and experience writing reports;
• A goal-oriented disposition and the skills to solve problems independently and effectively;
• Computer literacy (MS Word and PowerPoint and Excel);
• The ability to speak, read and write isiXhosa or Afrikaans or both;
• The ability to speak, read and write English fluently.

Recommendation:

• First-authorship of one or more peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Enquiries regarding job content: Mr Graeme Hoddinott on 021 938 9686 or graemeh@sun.ac.za

Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Division, Tygerberg Campus on 021 938 9636

Closing date: 27 August 2018

Commencement date: 1 December 2018

The University will consider all applications in terms of its Employment Equity Plan, which acknowledges the need to diversify the demographic composition of the staff corps, especially with regard to the appointment of suitable candidates from the designated groups.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and e-mail address of at least three referees), must reach the University before or on the closing date of the advertised post.

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

Should no feedback be received from the University within four weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application did not succeed.