Post-Doctoral Fellowship Opportunity (Prepare Epsilon Wits EViTOH)

Johannesburg - South Africa

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 4 days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Background:

Wits Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI) a division of our client Wits Health Consortium has a great Post-Doctoral Fellowship opportunity (PREPARE EPSILON) - Establishment of multipathogen molecular and serological assays and Pathogen discovery pipelines to solve outbreaks and describe the epidemiology of emerging and reemerging vectorbrone and zoonotic viral infections in Africa
Wits Emerging Viral Threats One Health Surveillance and Vaccines (EViTOH) division focuses on emerging and re-emerging pathogens particularly vector-borne and respiratory viruses aiming to enhance South Africas capacity to detect prevent and respond to novel diseases
Through multidisciplinary One Health research the division strengthens epidemic and pandemic preparedness both locally and globally
Its vision is to lead syndromic and genomic surveillance across human animal and environmental sectors achieved through innovative diagnostics genomic studies and the development of One Health vaccines
The Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is dedicated to advancing health science through transdisciplinary collaboration in infectious diseases and cancer research
Wits IDORI aims to foster an ecosystem of research excellence drive innovation and translate scientific discoveries into clinical and societal impact

Project background:

Special focus on emerging and re-emerging zoonotic arboviruses associated with febrile and neurological infections within a One Health surveillance framework Timely detection of emerging infectious diseases is critical for effective outbreak response and epidemic and pandemic preparedness
The incumbent will be involved in establishment of rapid diagnostics and multipathogen serological assays to solve the causes of febrile and neurological infections in humans and animals in Africa defining animal reservoirs and protective immune responses
The project will further focus on defining the clinical epidemiology and modelling the impact of emerging and reemerging viruses to inform public-health decision-making for epidemic and pandemic preparedness
This project aims to integrate diagnoses pathogen discovery with the epidemiology of detected pathogens in hospitalised patients ICUs and fatalities to improve early detection surveillance of outbreaks of priority pathogens
The work bridges laboratory science data analysis and public-health research offering a multidisciplinary training experience
Work will include BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments primarily involving vectorborne and zoonotic viruses and liaising with clinical sites to establish surveillance in South Africa and other African partner sites as part of the Epidemic and pandemic preparedness network (EPSILON) program

Main purpose of the job:

Establishment of multipathogen molecular and serological assays and Pathogen discovery pipelines to solve outbreaks and describe the epidemiology of emerging and reemerging vectorborne and zoonotic viral infections in Africa

Duration:

2 years contract with renewal dependent on achievement and project milestones with a 3 month probation

Location:

Wits EViTOH chair in the Infectious disease and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) - Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

To design and implement multiplex sero-diagnostic assays for use in surveillance studies to investigate the Epidemiological of emerging vectorborne and zoonotic diseases
To support the establishment and coordinate clinical surveillance sites in collaboration with surveillance officer and clinical staff or collection of samples
To conduct statistical and epidemiological analysis of laboratory and clinical data to define the epidemiology of detected diseases
Design and manage databases for data collection across surveillance site
To investigate trends in evolution of detected pathogens
To work with senior investigators to communicate findings to health authorities and policymakers and to report findings as high-impact publications and at national and international conferences
The position will also entail post-graduate supervision and training grant writing to develop your research independence within EViTOH and ensure long-term sustainability
The candidate will be involved in project management work in a BSL2 and BSL3 lab be involved in administrative responsibilities (Ethics applications for field and lab research activities and other regulatory requirements

Required minimum education and training:

PhD in Medical Virology Molecular Biology Immunology or a related field as well as a background in Epidemiology or Data Analysis with an understanding of Infectious Diseases
South African citizens or permanent residents will be prioritised

Required minimum work experience:

The candidate must have strong laboratory skills with experience in nucleic acid extraction PCR realtime PCR cloning protein expression serological assay development and troubleshooting development of pseudovirions as well as protein structure and bioinformatics analysis
The candidate should also have epidemiological and statistical data analysis skills have strong written and oral communication skills and demonstrate experience in developing/validating diagnostic techniques
A suitable candidate must show excellent attention to detail documentation discipline and understanding of laboratory workflow database design and maintenance
The candidate must have experience in pathogen surveillance studies collection of clinical and epidemiological data in line with human ethics requirements with effective communication skills; publication record grant writing experience will be an advantage
Must be able to work flexible hours
Self-learner with a desire to develop new skills to advance the project and your career
You need to be able to work independently or in a group able to troubleshoot and think creatively
The candidate should have strong work ethics and be self-motivated

Desirable additional education work experience and personal abilities:

Sound knowledge on vectorborne and zoonotic viruses and One Health experience working in a biosafety level 3 laboratory protein expression and bioplex systems as well as protein structure and genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis and knowledge of Epidemiology and statistical data analysis programmes (R STATA EPI-info) and modelling will be beneficial

TO APPLY:

Wits University invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at WITS in Johannesburg South Africa under the supervision of Prof Marietjie Venter NRF SARCHi Chair and Head of EViTOH to apply
Please send an updated CV Plus a motivation letting outlining your expertise experience and resason for interest in joining the group Plus an academic transcript (Complete record) and copy of your ID or Passport and VISA as well as an SAQA Certifiied qualification if outside of South Africa and 2 contactable references
Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above you may submit a detailed updated CV plus all the document mentioned above
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: 30 April 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

Background:Wits Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI) a division of our client Wits Health Consortium has a great Post-Doctoral Fellowship opportunity (PREPARE EPSILON) - Establishment of multipathogen molecular and serological assays and Pathogen discovery pipelines to solve o...

Background:

Wits Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI) a division of our client Wits Health Consortium has a great Post-Doctoral Fellowship opportunity (PREPARE EPSILON) - Establishment of multipathogen molecular and serological assays and Pathogen discovery pipelines to solve outbreaks and describe the epidemiology of emerging and reemerging vectorbrone and zoonotic viral infections in Africa
Wits Emerging Viral Threats One Health Surveillance and Vaccines (EViTOH) division focuses on emerging and re-emerging pathogens particularly vector-borne and respiratory viruses aiming to enhance South Africas capacity to detect prevent and respond to novel diseases
Through multidisciplinary One Health research the division strengthens epidemic and pandemic preparedness both locally and globally
Its vision is to lead syndromic and genomic surveillance across human animal and environmental sectors achieved through innovative diagnostics genomic studies and the development of One Health vaccines
The Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is dedicated to advancing health science through transdisciplinary collaboration in infectious diseases and cancer research
Wits IDORI aims to foster an ecosystem of research excellence drive innovation and translate scientific discoveries into clinical and societal impact

Project background:

Special focus on emerging and re-emerging zoonotic arboviruses associated with febrile and neurological infections within a One Health surveillance framework Timely detection of emerging infectious diseases is critical for effective outbreak response and epidemic and pandemic preparedness
The incumbent will be involved in establishment of rapid diagnostics and multipathogen serological assays to solve the causes of febrile and neurological infections in humans and animals in Africa defining animal reservoirs and protective immune responses
The project will further focus on defining the clinical epidemiology and modelling the impact of emerging and reemerging viruses to inform public-health decision-making for epidemic and pandemic preparedness
This project aims to integrate diagnoses pathogen discovery with the epidemiology of detected pathogens in hospitalised patients ICUs and fatalities to improve early detection surveillance of outbreaks of priority pathogens
The work bridges laboratory science data analysis and public-health research offering a multidisciplinary training experience
Work will include BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments primarily involving vectorborne and zoonotic viruses and liaising with clinical sites to establish surveillance in South Africa and other African partner sites as part of the Epidemic and pandemic preparedness network (EPSILON) program

Main purpose of the job:

Establishment of multipathogen molecular and serological assays and Pathogen discovery pipelines to solve outbreaks and describe the epidemiology of emerging and reemerging vectorborne and zoonotic viral infections in Africa

Duration:

2 years contract with renewal dependent on achievement and project milestones with a 3 month probation

Location:

Wits EViTOH chair in the Infectious disease and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) - Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

To design and implement multiplex sero-diagnostic assays for use in surveillance studies to investigate the Epidemiological of emerging vectorborne and zoonotic diseases
To support the establishment and coordinate clinical surveillance sites in collaboration with surveillance officer and clinical staff or collection of samples
To conduct statistical and epidemiological analysis of laboratory and clinical data to define the epidemiology of detected diseases
Design and manage databases for data collection across surveillance site
To investigate trends in evolution of detected pathogens
To work with senior investigators to communicate findings to health authorities and policymakers and to report findings as high-impact publications and at national and international conferences
The position will also entail post-graduate supervision and training grant writing to develop your research independence within EViTOH and ensure long-term sustainability
The candidate will be involved in project management work in a BSL2 and BSL3 lab be involved in administrative responsibilities (Ethics applications for field and lab research activities and other regulatory requirements

Required minimum education and training:

PhD in Medical Virology Molecular Biology Immunology or a related field as well as a background in Epidemiology or Data Analysis with an understanding of Infectious Diseases
South African citizens or permanent residents will be prioritised

Required minimum work experience:

The candidate must have strong laboratory skills with experience in nucleic acid extraction PCR realtime PCR cloning protein expression serological assay development and troubleshooting development of pseudovirions as well as protein structure and bioinformatics analysis
The candidate should also have epidemiological and statistical data analysis skills have strong written and oral communication skills and demonstrate experience in developing/validating diagnostic techniques
A suitable candidate must show excellent attention to detail documentation discipline and understanding of laboratory workflow database design and maintenance
The candidate must have experience in pathogen surveillance studies collection of clinical and epidemiological data in line with human ethics requirements with effective communication skills; publication record grant writing experience will be an advantage
Must be able to work flexible hours
Self-learner with a desire to develop new skills to advance the project and your career
You need to be able to work independently or in a group able to troubleshoot and think creatively
The candidate should have strong work ethics and be self-motivated

Desirable additional education work experience and personal abilities:

Sound knowledge on vectorborne and zoonotic viruses and One Health experience working in a biosafety level 3 laboratory protein expression and bioplex systems as well as protein structure and genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis and knowledge of Epidemiology and statistical data analysis programmes (R STATA EPI-info) and modelling will be beneficial

TO APPLY:

Wits University invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at WITS in Johannesburg South Africa under the supervision of Prof Marietjie Venter NRF SARCHi Chair and Head of EViTOH to apply
Please send an updated CV Plus a motivation letting outlining your expertise experience and resason for interest in joining the group Plus an academic transcript (Complete record) and copy of your ID or Passport and VISA as well as an SAQA Certifiied qualification if outside of South Africa and 2 contactable references
Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above you may submit a detailed updated CV plus all the document mentioned above
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: 30 April 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

Apply Now

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