Senior Medical Scientist (12 Months Contract - Wits Health Consortium)

SUMMARY:
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

POSITION INFO:
Division: Wits Mycology

Main purpose of the job:

• To lead and coordinate the laboratory and scientific components of Wits Mycology research, including the CombAT Candida clinical trial and associated laboratory projects
• The incumbent will support the transition, establishment and ongoing management of the Biohub laboratory facility, ensuring appropriate laboratory systems, workflows and governance are implemented
• For CombAT Candida, the incumbent will oversee laboratory workflows for Candida surveillance and clinical trial specimens, ensure high quality processing and stoage of samples, and provide strategic scientific input into study design, analysis and dissemination
• The role combines hands-on laboratory work with project management, staff supervision, and coordination between laboratory, clinical and research teams

• 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg

• Wits Mycology aims to improve the outcomes of people with varied lived experiences who are affected by life-threatening or disabling fungal diseases through clinical trials, observational studies, social science studies, and laboratory research and innovation
• Our research also stretches to other important infectious diseases
• We work in South Africa, across the African continent and globally
  

• Culture, identification and characterisation of Candida species from clinical and surveillance specimens
• Processing, aliquoting and storage of clinical samples including colonisation swabs, blood culture isolates and other specimens
• Molecular testing including nucleic acid extraction and PCR assays
• Participation in research laboratory analyses related to the CombAT Candida study
• Troubleshooting laboratory assays and workflows
• Drafting and updating laboratory standard operating procedures
• Ensuring accurate and timely data capture
• Provide oversight of laboratory activities supporting the CombAT Candida study and other mycology research projects
• Support the transition, establishment and operational management of the Biohub laboratory facility, including development of workflows, equipment setup and laboratory governance systems
• Coordinate specimen receipt, processing, storage and shipment between clinical sites and the laboratory
• Monitor laboratory workflows, inventories and sample tracking system.
• Liaise with clinical teams to ensure appropriate sample collection and transfer
• Ensure laboratory data is captured accurately and transferred to study databases
• Monitoring and maintaining laboratory equipment and infrastructure
• Monitoring stock levels of reagents and consumables
• Maintaining organised laboratory records and documentation
• Supporting budget oversight for laboratory activities
• Filing of records of worksheets
• Train and mentor laboratory scientists, technologists and students
• Provide supervision and oversight of laboratory staff involved in study procedures
• Promote teamwork, information sharing and effective laboratory communication
• Ensure adherence to laboratory standards including GLP or GCLP principles

• MSc or PhD in Microbiology, Medical Mycology, Molecular Biology or a related field

• HPCSA Registration as a Medical Scientist

• Minimum 5 years’ experience working in a Microbiology or Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, preferably including medical mycology or fungal pathogens
• Evidence of peer reviewed publications and experience contributing to research projects or clinical studies
• Experience coordinating laboratory activities, supervising staff and supporting laboratory operations

• Experience working in a microbiology laboratory, specifically medical mycology and Candida species
• Experience supervising or training laboratory staff, technologists or students
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to coordinate activities across laboratory and clinical teams
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high quality scientific work
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to prioritise competing tasks and work under pressure
• Demonstrated initiative, professionalism and integrity

• 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: 06 April 2026
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• 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