PhD Research Internship at HSRC 2024
The Population Health, Health System and Innovation (PHHSI) research programme conducts primary and secondary research on health, health interventions and impact evaluation, which enables evidence-based decision-making by our partners. PHHSI works with external partners, the research programmes of the HSRC and, through various networks, builds expertise in South Africa and the continent.
The priority research areas of PHHSI are non-communicable diseases; infant, child and maternal health including reproductive health; health systems, economics and policy; social determinants of health such as smoking, alcohol and stress, violence and child maltreatment, school and adolescent health, nutrition; health promotion and behavioural interventions, and gender in health and development.
3 year contract – 1 POST
PHHSI seeks to appoint one PhD Research Intern for a period of three years. The successful candidate will be based in Pretoria.
The Internship Programme in the HSRC is meant to provide the successful candidates with an opportunity to further develop their research expertise by working with subject experts and project specialists.
The internship experience is intensive and requires mature individuals who are able to work independently as well as in a team.
The successful individuals will be required to balance day to day duties and responsibilities in PHHSI and the HSRC with their PhD related studies and complete their doctoral studies in three years. Time is set aside for this purpose.
Key responsibilities:
In addition to completing their PhD degrees within three years, PhD research interns are required to participate in all aspects of the research process as they work with staff on research projects related to population health. Among other duties they will participate in the following activities under supervision:
• Conceptualise and implement research projects;
• Write funding proposals for funding applications;
• Collection and analysis of data;
• Write peer reviewed research manuscripts that are published in accredited peer reviewed journals;
• Write research results including workshops and conferences presentations as well as high quality research reports for submission to accredited peer reviewed journals;
• Develop own personal academic competencies through formal and informal training activities;
• Assist with administrative matters in the research environment.
Key requirements:
• Applicants must be in possession of a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) and registered for, or about to register for, a PhD with a registered South African University;
• Have a some understanding of public health principles and practice
• Have an interest in one or more of the priority research areas of PHHSI (e.g. health systems, non-communicable diseases including maternal health, mental health, health promotion and social determinants of heath);
• Experience in and understanding of quantitative and qualitative research approaches in public health will be a strong recommendation;
• Proficiency in or working experience with some or all of the following programmes: Excel, Word, SPSS, STATA, Nvivo, AtlasTI;
• Strong written and oral communication skills (having published or be about to publish from their MPhil/MSc / MPH will be an advantage);
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• Be a South African citizen.
The HSRC offers attractive, market-related packages, depending on qualifications, experience and recent performance.
APPLICATIONS: In your application, please include 1) a letter of motivation indicating the position applied for and your suitability for the position, 2) your current CV, 3) details of three recent referees (with telephone, fax and e-mail contact details) 4) a one-page outline of your Masters/ PhD thesis or proposed thesis, as well as 5) an example of recent academic work (not exceeding 8000 words). Please indicate the reference number of the post applied for.
The HSRC will only consider applications that include the above requirements. Applicants may be required to undertake a written exercise in the competencies required for the position.
(Reference: Population Health PhD Intern 02/17)
Applications should be submitted to: The Human Resources Generalist, Human Sciences Research Council, Private Bag X9182, Cape Town, 800, or delivered to Merchant House, 116 – 118 Buitengracht Street, or preferably email recruitment@hsrc.ac.za indicating the job reference number in the subject line.
For further enquiries, and not applications, please contact Prof Priscilla Reddy +2721 466 7944 or Prof Charles Hongoro on +2712 302 2250 or email: preddy@hsrc.ac.za
The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of its black, female or disabled senior managers, research leaders and support staff.
Closing date: 17th February 2024. We encourage applicants to submit prior to this date. Applicants who have not been contacted within eight weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful. Only candidates interviewed will be advised of the outcome of their applications.
Details of the HSRC can be found on the website, at www.hsrc.ac.za
APPLICATIONS FROM AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.