Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (12 months’ contract - Wits SAMRC - AGTRU))

About the position

Background:

• 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/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit (AGTRU)

Main purpose of the job:

• The candidate will be responsible for carrying out research on optimising lipid nanoparticle (LNP) mRNA formulations that incorporate novel compounds derived from bio-renewable sources
• The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team that applies synthetic organic chemistry to develop new mRNA vaccines and therapies

Location:

• University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

• Experience with working in a molecular biology/biochemistry research laboratory, operating electrical and non-electrical laboratory equipment
• Familiarity with requirements for work with biohazardous material and working aseptically
• Experience in mammalian cell culture and animal husbandry
• Carry out research on optimising lipid nanoparticle (LNP) mRNA formulations that incorporate novel compounds derived from bio-renewable sources
• Ability to meet reporting deadlines 

Required minimum education and training:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or similar field

Required minimum work experience:

• Practical experience with molecular biology and/or biochemistry research

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:

• Experience with cell culture will be valuable
• Written and verbal scientific communication
• Ability to meet reporting deadlines is another requirement
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

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: 30 July 2025
• 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:

• Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
• Cell culture experience
• Johannesburg
• PhD in Molecular biology
• PhD in Biochemistry research
• NGO
• NPO