Research Professor / Senior Clinician Scientist

Job Description

Research Professor / Senior Clinician Scientist in the Faculty of Health Sciences (fixed-term, five years, renewable based on performance) at Associate Professor or Professor level, depending on academic standing. Preference will be given to candidates who already meet the criteria for appointment at Professor level.

The Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, seeks to appoint an outstanding Senior Clinician Scientist with an established record of internationally recognised research excellence, academic leadership, and success in building sustainable research programmes.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide visible academic and strategic leadership within the Faculty, build a high-impact research programme of international standing, mentor the next generation of clinician scientists, and position Wits as a global leader in their field. The successful candidate will be expected to establish and lead a new strategic research initiative within the Faculty aligned to priority health challenges in South Africa and globally. This appointment is intended to expand the Faculty’s research footprint and should therefore not primarily duplicate or become embedded within existing research entities.

Priorities areas include:

• i. Cardiology with special focus on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Prevention.
• ii. Endocrinology with a special focus on Obesity and Diabetes.
• iii. Immunology, with a focus on cellular immunity in relation to infectious diseases or more broadly.
• iv. Lung disease: including focus on childhood and/or adult acute or chronic respiratory diseases.
• v. Oncology, preferably with a focus on nexus of Cancer and Infectious Diseases.
• vi. Maternal and Child Health including focus on addressing stillbirths and premature labour.
• vii. Infectious Diseases: including focus on antimicrobial resistance and hospital acquired infections; emerging infections and pandemic threats.
• viii. In addition, applicants who are involved in research, excluding HIV and TB, on other health-care priorities in South Africa will be considered.

The focus of the Position is to strengthen leadership in clinical research and teaching (undergraduate and post-graduate level).

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in the relevant discipline within the Faculty.
• Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary research team.
• Mentor emerging clinician scientists and mid-career academics.
• Develop national and international partnerships that elevate the Faculty’s standing.
• Contribute to Faculty research strategy, innovation and institutional priorities.

Requirements

Applicants must

• Hold a specialist degree in a relevant clinical discipline. A sub-specialist qualification will be advantageous.
• Hold a PhD or demonstrate an equivalent record of doctoral-level scholarly achievement.
• Meet the criteria for appointment at Associate Professor or Professor level based on Faculty staffing and promotion criteria.
• Preference will be given to candidates already eligible for appointment at Professor level.
• Have an established track record of high-quality publications, successful grant funding, postgraduate supervision and academic leadership.
• Demonstrate strong international standing in their field, including evidence of collaborations, invited contributions, leadership roles, guideline or policy influence, or equivalent recognition.
• Be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa if South African based. Non-South Africans may apply but may be exempt from patient service requirements.

Additional Requirements

Furthermore, each applicant must be able to:

• Demonstrate sustained original academic contribution at an international level.
• Lead complex research and organisational functions.
• Provide research-led teaching.
• Possess excellent interpersonal, managerial and communication skills.

How to Apply

The position is open to internal and external applicants. All eligible candidates are encouraged to apply for these positions.