Researcher (4 Year Fixed Term Contract - Wits Health Consortium)

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: EViTOH

Main purpose of the job:

• To develop and validate molecular and serological assays, recombinant protein expression, virus isolation and culture, virus neutralization assays, and characterization of humoral and cellular immune responses for pre-clinical vaccine candidates focused on emerging and re-emerging respiratory, vector-borne, and zoonotic viruses within a One Health framework

Location:

• Parktown, Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

• Candidate will contribute to a broad portfolio of research activities spanning virology, molecular biology, immunology, diagnostics, and pandemic preparedness within a One Health framework
• Establish and perform molecular, serological, and virological assays, including RT-PCR, ELISA, multiplex immunoassays, neutralization assays, virus isolation and culture, recombinant protein expression, and immunological techniques supporting vaccine and pathogenesis studies for emerging and re-emerging vector-borne, respiratory and zoonotic viruses
• Contribute to preclinical and early-phase vaccine research, including studies of humoral and cellular immune responses, and collaborate on multidisciplinary projects
• Support collaborative One Health surveillance and research programs across South Africa and Africa, analyze and interpret laboratory and epidemiological data, and contribute to the translation of research findings into public health practice
• Supervise and mentor postgraduate students, grant writing, progress reporting, scientific publication, and presentation of research findings at national and international conferences
• Work in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments and will involve participation in preclinical animal studies under the guidance of the Wits Research Animal Facility
• Contribute to the preparation of human and animal ethics applications and relevant regulatory documentation

Required minimum education and training:

• PhD in Virology, Immunology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related Biomedical discipline, with a strong background in Virology

Professional Body Registration:

• HPCSA/SAVC desirable

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of post-PhD experience

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:

• Experience in Virology, molecular and immunological assays for clinical diagnostic research, pre-clinical and phase 1-3vaccine trails, publication record and grant wringing experience as well as student supervision
• Candidates should have experience in molecular, serological, and virological laboratory techniques, including assay development and validation, virus culture, neutralization assays, molecular diagnostics, recombinant protein expression, and immunological assays
• Experience with T-cell immunology, preclinical vaccine development, and work in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories will be advantageous
• Experience with respiratory viruses, arboviruses, zoonotic diseases, or other emerging infectious diseases, One Health, BSL 3 laboratory work, and pre-clinical vaccine development will be advantageous
• Experience working within multidisciplinary and international collaborative research programs is also desirable
• Candidates should be self-driven, able to work independently and collaboratively, and capable of troubleshooting and creative problem solving
• Strong communication skills, statistical analysis capability, attention to detail, documentation discipline and understanding of laboratory workflows and data management are required

TO APPLY:

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV and a cover letter (maximum one page) that clearly states which vacancy you are applying for
• 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:17 July 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:

• Research
• HPCSA
• SAVC
• BSL-2
• BSL-3
• Virology
• Parktown