{"id":3627921,"url":"https://alion.io/job/samrc-chief-specialist-scientist-e","title":"Chief Specialist Scientist (E)","company":{"id":1791254,"name":"South African Medical Research Council","domain":"samrc.ac.za","url":"https://alion.io/company/samrc","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"MCI DirectHire","truth_index":null},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":"head","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Cape Town, South Africa"],"countries":["ZA"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":1695807,"max":null,"currency":"ZAR","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":102289},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-15T12:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-02","last_verified_at":"2026-11-11T11:38:18Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":27,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":27},"description":"Job Description\nThe SAMRC invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for a Chief Specialist Scientist position within the Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), based in Cape Town.\nThe successful candidate will provide strategic scientific leadership and contribute towards strengthening BRIP’s international reputation in cancer and non-communicable disease (NCD) research. The incumbent will be expected to initiate and lead pioneering multidisciplinary research programmes, secure national and international grant funding, supervise postgraduate students and early-career scientists, and publish extensively in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.\nThe post holder will further drive innovation, translational research, capacity development, and strategic partnerships, while contributing towards unit management, transformation initiatives, and the advancement of precision medicine, risk prediction, and early disease detection approaches within BRIP.\nKey Responsibilities:\nProvide strategic leadership in cancer and/or NCD molecular research within the unit.\nInitiate, lead, and manage novel national and international multidisciplinary research programmes.\nConduct high-impact translational research and publish in peer-reviewed ISI-indexed journals as first and/or senior author.\nSecure and manage substantial national and international grant funding as Principal Investigator.\nLead and implement research strategy, innovation, and capacity development initiatives within the unit.\nSupervise and mentor postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early- and mid-career scientists.\nFoster and maintain strategic collaborations with academic, governmental, clinical, and international stakeholders.\nTranslate research findings into public health impact, policy contributions, intellectual property, and innovation outputs where applicable.\nPresent research findings at national and international scientific conferences, including keynote presentations.\nContribute towards unit management, budgeting, operational oversight, reporting, and risk management.\nSupport transformation and equity initiatives within the SAMRC and BRIP.\nDuration:\nPermanent\nRemuneration:\nR 1,695,807 per annum\nJob Requirements\nCore Requirements:\nPhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Epidemiology, or a related field.\nExcellent academic and scholarly track record, including at least 40 lifetime peer-reviewed ISI-indexed publications, with a minimum 12 as first author\nInternationally recognised leader in the cancer field with an NRF C1(pending B3-rating re-evaluation outcome) or equivalent standing.\nProven track record of successfully securing and leading major research grants and programmes, including cumulative research income exceeding R10 million as Principal Investigator.\nProven track record of postgraduate supervision to completion, including MSc and PhD students, with a minimum of 10 students graduated.\nProven Leadership and management experience in cancer research with a strong record of mentorship, capacity development, and people management.\nExperience in budgeting, financial oversight, and risk management.\nMembership of national and international scientific bodies and committees.\nWork collaboratively to build an effective team with excellent scientific writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.\nUniversity affiliation at Associate or Full Professor level.\nMore than 20 years’ experience in molecular and cell biology research within the NCD and/or cancer field\nStrong understanding of ethical standards in human subjects research.\nAdvantageous:\nProven track record of international collaborative partnerships in cancer and/or NCD research.\nExperience in translational precision medicine in cancer research.\nDemonstrated contribution to national and international scientific guidelines, policy documents, or advisory committees.\nMBChB\n Closing date:\n30 November 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