About the position
Background:
- Wits Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health Research Unit (Wits MRU) aim to answer priority questions that will translate into improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes through expanding access to appropriate and acceptable health technologies and services
- Our core research areas are contraception including barrier methods, HIV prevention, safer conception, menstrual management, postpartum depression, and other areas of sexual and reproductive health
- Wits MRU engages in pivotal research conducted with vulnerable populations, including youth, sex workers, and residents of informal settlements
- Using a range of methodologies, we conduct behavioural, operations and clinical research, actively partnering and involving communities and local structures
- We also provide technical assistance, partnering with various stakeholders including the Department of Health and other NGO's to affect policy change and enhance best practice
- We work with diverse Partners, Collaborators and Donors, including local and internationally based universities and research centres
- Wits MRU was established in 2013 as a Division of the Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Ltd in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand in Parktown, Johannesburg
- Wits MRU is based in Durban and was formerly the Durban Office of the RHRU (Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit) now WRHI (Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute)
Our Mission:
- Conduct innovative research that informs policy and programmes
- Conduct research that supports the development of new technologies on sexual and reproductive health, HIV, and related diseases
- Engage the community in informing research and improving service delivery
About Wits MRU
- Wits MRU is a division of the Wits Health Consortium under the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University or the Witwatersrand
- We are committed to supporting the millennium development goals aimed of gender equity, maternal and child health and combatting HIV
- These guide our work which focuses on sexual and reproductive health with research being conducted in HIV prevention, contraception health service integration, and menstrual health
- We conduct clinical, behavioural operations and implementation science research and support health strengthening including capacity building and technical support
Main purpose of the job:
- To support and conduct a mixed-methods research study assessing User preferences and acceptability of sexual lubricants as potential HIV prevention products, from study implementation through to analysis and dissemination of findings
Period:
Please note that this fellowship is a 12 months fixed term contract
Location:
- Wits MRU Durban - The Atrium, Overport
Key performance areas:
- Study set up and preparation
- Qualitative study implementation
- Online survey implementation
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Scientific writing and dissemination
- Research coordination and collaboration
Required minimum education and training:
- PhD or equivalent Doctoral Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Social Science, Behavioural Science, Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV Research or a related discipline: completed within the last five years
- Demonstrated experience in qualitative research methods, including interviews and/or focus group discussions
- Experience in qualitative data analysis and use of relevant software, such as NVivo, [URL Removed] or MAXQDA
- Experience in quantitative research
- Scientific writing and communication skills
- Evidence of peer-reviewed publications
- Understanding of research ethics, informed consent, confidentiality and responsible management of sensitive research date
Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:
- Previous research experience in sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, contraception, sexual behaviour or related areas
- Experience conducting research on sensitive topics relating to sexual health
- Experience working with mixed-methods research designs
- Experience engaging with communities and other Stakeholders in health research
TO APPLY:
- Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV with copies of qualifications and registrations
- 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 October 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:
- Post Doctoral
- Qualitative Data
- Scientific Writing
- Quantitative Research
- Communication Skills
- HIV Research
- Overport KZN
