Overview
Senior Researcher; PhD in Physiology Wits DPHRU Jobs in Soweto, South Africa at AJ Personnel
Position: Senior Researcher (PhD in Physiology – 12 Months Fixed Term Contract – Wits DPHRU)
Background:
- The MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU) is situated in the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) as an extramural research unit based at the University of the Witwatersrand
- At Wits, DPHRU forms part of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health in the School of Clinical Medicine of the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Addressing national priorities of increasing life expectancy, decreasing maternal and child mortality and strengthening health system effectiveness, DPHRU forms a unique research platform with substantial infrastructure and equipment, extensive longitudinal data from the Birth to Twenty Plus cohort, and well-established links with urban and rural South African communities
- Specifically, DPHRU investigates genetic, physiological, psycho-social, and lifestyle determinants of growth and development, obesity and risk of cardiometabolic disease, and healthy ageing through innovative multi-disciplinary methodologies across the life-course
- DPHRU draws upon a conceptual framework that sees health in adult life as a product of a multi-generational process that can be affected adversely by shocks or deprivation, as well as enhanced by the existence of protective factors or appropriate interventions in critical periods
- Insight into the converging complexity of environmental and social factors across the lifespan in South Africa is critical for understanding the pathways to the development of ill-health, engaging in effective advocacy, and leading the development of successful interventions
- DPHRU is well positioned to provide scientific and local formative and intervention research in the area of developmental origins of health which will complement the science of existing research entities tackling metabolic disease, health and wellbeing in South Africa
- DPHRU forms part of:
- Wits Molecular Biosciences Research Thrust:
Health for Africa - Wits Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Research Thrust
- SAMRC Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases National Collaborative Research Programme
Main purpose of the job:
- To lead, design, manage, and deliver high-impact cardiovascular research within the Gen Hueart 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:
Research Leadership, Design, and Scientific Delivery
- 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
Ethics, Compliance, and Data Governance
- 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
Advanced data analysis and interpretation
- 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
Publication and knowledge dissemination
- 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
Postgraduate supervision and capacity development
- Supervise MSc and PhD students to timely completion
- Mentor early-career researchers and postdoctoral fellows
- Build analytical and methodological capacity within the unit
Financial, Supply Chain & Contract Management
- Provide oversight to ensure effective and efficient implementation of approved budget/s for the study programmes and…
Title: Senior Researcher; PhD in Physiology Wits DPHRU
Company: AJ Personnel
Location: Soweto, South Africa
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