SENIOR RESEARCH SPECIALIST

Details

Closing Date 2026/10/02

Reference Number HSR260921-1

Job Type Permanent

Job Title SENIOR RESEARCH SPECIALIST

Business Area Public Health, Societies and Belonging - PHSB

Department Health Innovation and Wellbeing

Number of Positions 1

Workplace Type Hybrid

Location - Town / City Pretoria, Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg

Location - Province Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng

Location - Country South Africa

Minimum Education Level NQF 10 - PhD Degree or equivalent

Application Closing Date 02-Oct-2026

Job Category Scientific

Job Advert Summary The Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) research division within the HSRC employs a multi-disciplinary group of social scientists and public health specialists who conduct numerous empirical and policy-related studies each year, three-quarters of which are donor-funded. PHSB conducts transdisciplinary, intersectional, policy and programme-relevant research to improve health, well-being and promote a socially just and cohesive society.

PHSB division is in all HSRC offices in Pretoria, Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg. The division seeks to appoint one (1) Senior Research Specialist to join a dynamic team of researchers in the HSRC community. The incumbent will be based in one of the HSRC offices.

Minimum Requirements Key requirements:

• The candidate must have:

• A Doctorate (NQF level 10) in Social Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, or Biostatistics.

• An established research career as evidenced by publication. At least seven (7) peer reviewed publications in accredited academic journals some of which are first/sole authored.

• At least a minimum of Six (6) years in research and management experience is needed, preferably in a research institution or a university;

• Demonstrated experience in managing and coordinating research programmes.

• An interest in one of the priority research areas of PHSB will be an advantage;

• A sound grounding in research methods, especially quantitative approaches;

• Strength in epidemiological research methods and design;

• Sound knowledge of and experience in quantitative data management and data analysis skills

• Proficiency in or working experience with some of the following data software packages: STATA, R, SPSS, SAS or other relevant statistical packages;

• A strong user orientation, based on a commitment to addressing public health issues;

• The ability and enthusiasm to engage as a leader and team player in large-scale multi-disciplinary research, to lead and manage research teams, and to mentor and train their members;

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment;

• Good communication and leadership skills;

• An excellent networking and fundraising track record;

• • The HSRC will only consider applications that comply with the above requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities Key responsibilities:

The Senior Research Specialist will be expected to participate in all aspects of the research process as he/she works with staff on research projects. In addition to the responsibility to publish journal articles, a Senior Research Specialist will contribute to the sustainable growth of the PHSB research programme.

• Leading and conducting high level scholarly research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies which meet the challenge of peer review, and has both strategic and policy relevance;

• Responding to calls for proposals and formulating grant applications;

• Delivering high-quality results and reports to budget and deadline;

• Communicating research findings in national and international conferences, publishing papers in refereed journals as well as publishing policy briefs and technical reports

• Providing epidemiological and biostatistical expertise into projects;

• Networking with major users and funders of Public Health research to understand their research needs;

• Building national and international research links;

• Ability and willingness to mentor young researchers is also a key responsibility;

• Contributing to all the Key Performance Areas and Key Performance Indicators of the PHSB research programme.

Policy

In delivering 'social science that makes a difference' in South Africa and the region, the Research Programmes of the Human Sciences Research Council initiate and undertake policy-oriented research projects and programmes from its offices in Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria. Its public-purpose mandate is set out in the Human Sciences Research Council Act No.17 of 2008.

The HSRC aims to attract and retain high-calibre skills and human resources necessary to effectively execute both its mandate to conduct research and to support the strategic intent of the organisation.

The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of South African Citizens who are black, female, or disabled towards achieving Equity goals.

The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Application from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.