Applicants are invited for the above post for a collaborative project between the University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU) / Utrecht University (UU) and the Ndlovu Care Group (NCG) and Witwatersrand University in South Africa. We are seeking a faculty member at the Assistant Professor level based both at the Julius Center, UMC Utrecht and Groblersdal, Limpopo, South Africa.
General Description:
The multidisciplinary research program concentrates on the prevention, prognosis and management of HIV and the interaction with chronic lifestyle-related diseases especially cardiovascular disease. In addition to the clinical, microbiological and immunological aspects, interests include social, economic and demographic determinants of disease and disease outcomes.
The faculty member to be appointed will be responsible for expanding, solidifying the research and disseminating the results of the collaborative research group based both in South Africa and Utrecht, the Netherlands. In Utrecht, the group will be coordinated by the Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Global Health Unit. In addition, the departments of internal medicine & infectious diseases, microbiology and immunology of the UMCU are involved, as well as the Utrecht Faculty of Social Sciences.
The Ndlovu Care Group has over two decades of experience in the provision of high quality care in deprived, rural areas of South Africa. Their main focus is primary care, HIV & tuberculosis care and social development and HIV prevention projects (http://www.ndlovucaregroup.co.za). Due to their expertise and the on-site facilities, there is an excellent infrastructure for embedding research.
A joint appointment at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg is an option.
Job Description:
- The successful candidate will report back to the head of the collaborative project both at the UU and at the NCG. He/she will be responsible for the execution of the scientific program of the project and have the following specific tasks:
- Preparation, initiation and execution of research projects in accordance with timelines, quality and specifications as stipulated by the research group(s) and lead academic investigators.
- Write grant proposals and (supervise) the writing of research papers.
- Establish and maintain regular contact with all members of the collaborative project and other South African research partners.
- Monitor the progress of the research against the project plan and previously defined performance indicators in terms of quality, quantity and budget and adjust implementation as necessary.
- Report the progress made to the project director and/or lead investigator and the study’s research group (if applicable).
- Plan, organise and participate in meetings for investigators, research staff, etc.
- Act as a point of contact for the sponsors and all members of the project team.
- Contribute to process improvements, e.g. professionalization of work activities, methods of reporting, implementation of new legislation and regulations.
Qualifications and experiences required:
The requirements for this challenging job are:
- University degree in medical or related sciences
- Graduate or equivalent training in (clinical) epidemiology
- A PhD degree in Epidemiology or related field
- Sound knowledge of HIV and/or cardiovascular disease
- Good command of English, both spoken and written
- Strong inter-personal skills ability to work well in a team
- Able to take initiative, results orientated and flexible.
- Willingness to travel and spend extended periods in South Africa
Conditions of Appointment:
- The successful candidate will be appointed at the Julius Centre at the UMCU, the Netherlands, initially for a period of three years, as an assistant professor
- The jobholder will spend extended time periods in Groblersdal, South Africa
- A joint appointment at the Witwatersrand University at Johannesburg is an option
- Preferably, the jobholder will be available from January 2018
Application procedure:
Please send your application, including a detailed Curriculum Vitae to prof. dr. R. Coutinho (R.A.Coutinho@umcutrecht.nl, telephone number +31 88 75 68181) and Mrs Mélanie Péro (M.S.Pero@umcutrecht.nl, telephone number +31 88 75 69638).
For further information you can also contact the above mentioned persons.