Senior Research Clinician (Mycology - 36 Months Contract - WHC)

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:
Main Purpose of the job:

• The post-holder will take a leadership role within the CombAT Candida Program of work - this incorporates a prospective cohort study, tracking the acquisition, transmission and emergence of antifungal resistant Candida infection, colonization and environmental contamination within ICUs at five hospitals in Johannesburg
• Infection prevention and control, and antifungal stewardship interventions and audits, alongside point prevalence studies if antimicrobial prescription will be built into this project
• The observational study will lead into a phase III randomized controlled trial of combination antifungal treatment for Candida bloodstream infections at the same five hospital sites
• Expected to contribute to the development of study protocols, work practice documents and databases and to effectively train and manage study teams
• Take part in data analysis and the preparation of peer-reviewed publications arising from the study
• To develop and lead related sub-studies or projects and to take on any roles as directed by the principal and chief investigators
• Development of independent research plans will be expected and supported within the CombAT Candida program – this will provide an excellent basis for a funded PhD at Wits related to mycology, fungal genomics, epidemiology, health economics or and area of particular interest to the candidate

• The Mycology Division aims to improve the outcomes of people affected by serious, life- threatening fungal diseases in South Africa and the African region through public health-focused epidemiological, clinical and basic science research and innovation
• Our work also stretches to other important infectious diseases

• Johannesburg Trial Sites x5: Helen Joseph Hospitals; Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital; Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital; Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre; Netcare Milpark Hospital

• Contribute to the development of study documentation including trial protocols, patient information sheets and consent forms, SOPs/ WPDs, quality assurance and quality control guidelines and training manuals
• Participate in regular meetings between the clinical teams at the sites and ensure good communication between sites and the trial management group
• Maintain close contact with the trial management group and consult them on strategic issues that might have any safety or outcome implications
• Conduct the clinical trial in accordance with GCP regulations and standard operating procedures
• Proactively resolve protocol queries and missing data with the Trial Management Group
• Oversee all clinical procedures including dispensing of study drugs to study participants and other protocol related procedures, with the study nurses and pharmacists, ensuring that they are carried out within the Hospital’s and Sponsor’s policies, research governance, Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials Regulations) Regulations 2004 and Amended Regulations 2006 Incorporating International Conference on Harmonisation of Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) Data Protection Act and Human Tissue Act
• Oversee and assist with any pre-study entry medical evaluation for potential participants & daily clinical care to study participants, with the study doctors
• S/he should also ensure that patients who need a referral to other health care services are duly referred
• Review patient vitals, X-rays, echocardiograms, scans and other study-related results
• Oversee and assist with reporting any adverse events, ensuring appropriate action is taken until a final report is completed
• Perform spot check evaluations to quality control clinical source notes and CRFs
• Monitor the Study Recruitment / Retention Plan including planning meetings to address challenges of study enrolment and participant retention
• Play a supervisory role for the study clinical and nursing teams to ensure that teams adhere to the set standard operating procedures in the conduct of clinical trials and that all staff are fully trained in the SOPs pertaining to their daily work
• Identify study specific training needs and consequent provision of training in liaison with the Trial Manager for study staff during study implementation
• To act as a leader, resource and role model
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the Site PI, Senior Research Clinician and/ or CI

• MBBCh degree
• Additional medical specialty training in clinical microbiology or infectious diseases would be advantageous

• Minimum 3-year’s work experience after community service, preferably in a clinical research or academic environment
• Experience of clinical trials is advantageous

• Ability to function and operate strategically with sound clinical and business acumen
• Confidentiality, tact and discretion must be always maintained
• Displays concern for the safety and wellbeing of patients. Thorough, with good attention to detail
• Ordered and systematic in approach to tasks, with strict adherence to protocol
• Exceptional planning and organisational skills are required together with working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Able to exercise discretion and independent decision-making
• Ability to prioritise own workload, take initiative (pro-active) and work to tight deadlines
• Self-motivated with a high regard for work ethic, values and integrity
• Certification in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), project management and a background in research including analytical skills will be an advantage

• 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: 18 June 2025
• 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