MSc Student Bursary (Fixed Term Contract - Wits DIH)

About the position

Background:

• The Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub is a division of Wits Health Consortium
• Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Limited ("WHC") is a wholly-owned Company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa) under its Faculty of Health Sciences
• WHC provides Faculty with a legal framework within which to operate the research and other activities necessary to support its academic objectives. In addition, WHC offers a range of products and services to Academics

Division: Wits Diagnostic and Innovation Hub

Main purpose of the job:

• To appoint a motivated MSc candidate for a laboratory-based research project evaluating simplified sequencing workflows for outbreak diagnostics
• The work will focus on defining a minimum viable nanopore sequencing approach that delivers rapid, actionable mpox detection through a field-deployable “lab-in-a-box” model
• This project suits candidates interested in outbreak genomics, translational diagnostics, and applied next-generation DNA sequencing technologies
• The project will involve laboratory optimisation, sequencing workflow comparison, and assessment of operational feasibility under simulated field conditions

Location:

• Parktown and NIDC Sandringham

Key performance areas:

• Hands-on molecular biology techniques including nucleic acid extraction and amplification
• Nanopore library preparation and MinION sequencing
• Analysis of viral sequencing data for detection and clade assignment
• Critical evaluation of diagnostic performance metrics
• Workflow design for low resource deployment

Required minimum education and training:

• BSc Honours Degree in relevant Scientific Field

Required minimum work experience:

• No work experience required

Funding:

• The scholarship covers tuition and provides a stipend in line with institutional guidelines

Supervisors: Dr Jacqueline Weyer, Dr Dewaldt Engelbrecht

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:

• Must be a full-time student
• Strong laboratory competence in molecular methods
• Diligent, well-organised and systematic laboratory practices
• Quantitative and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently and manage a defined research project
• Experience in sequencing or bioinformatics will strengthen the application

TO APPLY:

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
• Closing date: 27 February 2026
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

 Please note:

• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position

Desired Skills:

• Full Time Student
• Nanopore Sequencing
• MinION Sequencing
• Bioinformatics
• Msc Student
• Parktown
• Laboratory