Junior Research Fellow: Faculty of Health Sciences

Job Details

• Expires 15 April 0 days left to apply

• Reference number: E22320
• Province: Western Cape
• Type of engagement: Fixed term contract
• Posted: March 18th
• Remuneration package: The annual cost of employment, including benefits (where applicable), is between R513 266 and R711230

Background to Position

We invite applications from suitable qualified black South Africans (Africans, Coloureds, Indians)1 for the position of Junior Research Fellow on T1 contract conditions of service. 1“Black South African” Is a generic term which means Africans, Coloureds, and Indians

(a) who are citizens of the Republic of South Africa by birth or decent; or

(b) who became citizens of the Republic of South Africa by naturalisation –

(i) before 27 April 1994;

(ii) on or after 27 April 1994 and who would have been entitled to acquire citizenship. 

PROJECT SCOPE:

The purpose of this Junior Research Fellow (JRF) position is to support the career-pathing of a black South African who will be nurtured and well-networked into a community of scholars at UCT. Specifically, the JRF will work on a project that forms part of a collaboration between the Jacobs, Hockman and Raimondo laboratories within the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM) and the Neuroscience Institute (NI). This collaboration applies single cell gene expression and gene regulatory analyses to investigate cell type-specific gene regulatory dynamics in the mammalian brain in response to disease (e.g., TB infection, neurocysticercosis and epilepsy) as well as in the context of normal brain development. We have established the powerful 10x Genomics platform for single cell analyses at UCT and already have several unique datasets. The JRF will be expected to contribute to the analysis and validation of these existing datasets and will also be encouraged to develop independent projects that focus on applying single cell tools (e.g., scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq) to improve our understanding of neuroinfectious diseases, neuropathology and/or neurodevelopment. The JRF will receive mentorship and guidance as this position seeks to support their career trajectory toward scientific and academic independence.

Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology and the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine

(24-month contract)

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Generate and analyze single cell datasets (e.g., scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq)
• Contribute to setting up research systems to validate gene expression and regulation analyses
• As part of the successful candidate’s professional development, provide mentorship and co-supervision for postgraduate students
• Write up research for publication and present at local and international meetings.
• Develop future research projects including applying for research support from local and international funding agencies. • To comply with the University’s approved policies, procedures, and practices for the postdoctoral sector

 

Inherent Criteria

Requirements for the job:

A PhD in Bioinformatics with a strong interest in neuroinfectious disease, or alternatively a PhD in Neurosciences, Immunology, Virology, Microbiology, Developmental Biology or a related discipline with a postgraduate qualification in Bioinformatics.

• A minimum of 2 years Postdoctoral experience
• Evidence of scientific publications
• Evidence of collaborative teamwork
• Evidence of good organizational and communication skills

The following will be advantageous:

A record of securing research funding and/or research awards

• Biosafety Level 3 experience
• Experience with student mentoring

Application Requirement

To apply, please e-mail the below documents in a single pdf file to Prof Muazzam Jacobs at muazzam.jacobs@uct.ac.za

• UCT Application Form (download at http://forms.uct.ac.za/hr201.doc)
• Cover letter, and
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

Please ensure the title and reference number are indicated in the subject line. An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may be required to undergo an assessment.

Telephone: 021 4066078                                             Website: http://www.immunology.uct.ac.za/

Reference number: E22320                                        Closing date: 15 April 2022

“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 including candidates with disabilities.

” Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.hr.uct.ac.za/hr/policies/employ_equity

UCT reserves the right not to appoint

About University of Cape Town

“UCT is a community of exceptionally talented students, teachers and researchers – and a wide range of professional, administrative support and service staff – all of whom are committed to help change this world for the better. We encourage one another to work hard, not only to earn degrees or public recognition, but also to be leaders in this increasingly changing world. Our vision is to be an inclusive, research-intensive African university that addresses the challenges of our time with cutting-edge teaching, research and facilities. As a university we are committed to promoting transformation, to working tirelessly to guarantee the sustainability of our institution, and to ensuring excellence in all we do.”