About this role
SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER (3-year contract | Full-time) Children’s Heart Disease Research Unit Department of Paediatrics and Child Health Faculty of Health Sciences The Children’s Heart Disease Research Unit (CHDRU) invites suitable candidates to apply for the full-time, 3-year contract, Senior Research Officer position. The main purpose of this role is to specifically work in Rheumatic Heart disease and support all operations of the CHDRU through teaching, research, leadership and management and social responsiveness and transformation. This position will be based at the CHDRU, at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, but working with an international team. The Children’s’ Heart Disease Research Unit (CHDRU) was established to facilitate current research activities in congenital and paediatric heart disease and build capacity to support such research within the Department of Paediatrics and the Institute of Child Health. The CHDRU endeavours to serve as a platform to bring together researchers, communities and resources in advancing the campaign against paediatric and acquired heart disease on the African continent. The unit’s vision is to integrate research and clinical practice to improve the lives of all with congenital and paediatric heart disease and its mission is to conduct innovative, patient-centred and accountable research with the focus on African areas of need. Reach’s mission is to promote the health of vulnerable populations by providing technical support to local, regional, and global efforts to prevent and control rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. The incumbent must be an energetic, motivated, strongly disciplined individual, who is comfortable in a health research environment. Requirements: Master of Public Health (preferably in Epidemiology) or equivalent. Current Certification in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Research Ethics Certificate. 4 years’ experience in research coordination and project management. 4 years’ experience in RHD research projects, nationally, regionally and internationally. 2 years’ experience engaging partners/stakeholders including funders, NGOs and Councils. 2 years of experience leading programmes related to health provider and community training. Knowledge of the Rheumatic Heart Disease process. Proficiency in creating project plans, developing funders proposals, writing funders reports and supporting people living with RHD. Proficiency in conducting systematic reviews. Advantages PhD preferably in Public Health or Health Sciences. Responsibilities: Conduct, supervise and manage both local and international research at REACH and the Children’s Heart Disease Research Unit (CHDRU), ensuring effective implementation and adherence to organisational goals. Develop research proposals for Reach and lead the efforts on currents research activities. Spearhead grant writing, reporting, and financial management activities specifically related to rheumatic heart disease programmes at REACH and CHDRU, ensuring sustainability and accountability in resource allocation. Post-graduate teaching, training and mentorship within Reach and CHDRU, as well as internationally in Reach and CHDRU research projects. Provide leadership and management support to junior employees and assist colleagues, fostering their professional growth and development while ensuring the continuity of REACH's engagement within the rheumatic heart disease community. Present research at various meetings, conferences, and site visits, effectively networking with relevant stakeholders and fostering partnerships and collaborations. For detailed information on this post, please view the job description attached . The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is between R837 520 and R1 207 358. To apply , click the 'apply' button to create a profile and submit your application. Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application: Motivational letter that speaks to the requirements of the position Curriculum Vitae (CV) A systematic/scoping review in the field of public health (preferably RHD) which you have co-authored. Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address and telephone number Highest qualification ID/Passport An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency and pre-placement-medical assessments. R eferences may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process. Any enquiries for the position to be addressed to Ms Tracy Moore at [email protected] or 021 650 4505. Closing date: 10 August 2026 (redeployment staff) Websites: http://www.health.uct.ac.za https://health.uct.ac.za/chdru www.stoprhd.org Reference number: ID1469 UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf . When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks. For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email [email protected] . The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.