Research development

The Medical Research Council strives to improve the nation’s health and quality of life through promoting and conducting relevant and responsive health research.

The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) invites applications for six (6) Research Fellowships in Health Research. This Career Development Programme is a partnership between the MRC and the Tertiary Education sector. The purpose of the Research Fellowship is to build research capacity and scientific leadership by creating new positions for senior post-doctoral scientists that have demonstrated a potential to become established researchers. Preference will be given to proposals that address Public Health and Environmental Health research priorities in the country. The six Research Fellows will be appointed for a period of 2 years commencing in January 2011, with the option to extend for a further 2 years, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.

Eligibility:
Applicants must

• Be South African Citizens or in possession of permanent residency
• Have a research doctorate and post-doctoral research experience
• Apply within at least 5 years of obtaining a research doctorate.

Applicants will be considered on the strength of proven research experience equivalent to a senior post-doctoral research scientist.Preference will be given to applicants from the historically disadvantaged groups and Institutions.  Applicants from Universities of Technology are encouraged to apply.

Value of the Award:

• Research Fellows will be appointed at the level of a Lecturer at a University or Senior Scientist at the MRC
• The MRC will contribute, R180 000 towards the Fellow’s salary and R50 000 for running expenses for the research project
• The university will top-up the MRC salary contribution to that of a Lecturer at the employing institution
• Where the Research Fellow is appointed in an MRC in-house programme, the programme will be expected to top-up the MRC salary contribution to that of a Senior Scientist.

Conditions:

• Where a Fellow is appointed at a University, the University must give a written commitment to provide the necessary infrastructure, salary contribution and a minimum of R50 000 for running expenses for the research project.
• Where a Fellow is appointed in an MRC in-house programme, the Unit or Group Director must provide written commitment to provide the necessary infrastructure, salary contribution and a minimum of R50 000 for running expenses for the research project.
• The Research Fellow must spend a minimum of 80% of his or her time undertaking full-time research on the approved project. Successful applicants will be required to sign a contractual agreement with the MRC and the university.

Application Process:

• Interested individuals must submit a full application to the MRC no later than 13 August 2010.
• Applications must include a full research proposal, 3 referee’s reports, and written commitment from the employing institution to provide the infrastructure, top-up salary and matching contribution towards the running expenses for the research project.
• Where the Fellow is to be appointed in an MRC in-house programme, the written commitment must be provided by the Unit or Group Director.
• Applications will be sent out for peer-review and the applicants will be informed of the outcome of the application by September 2010.
• Applicants may be subjected to an interview before a final decision is made.  

Application forms are available on request from Research Capacity Development (RCD): Dr Thabi Maitin via email thabi.maitin@mrc.ac.za . Kindly copy the administrator at philistia.joshua@mrc.ac.za

Enquiries: Dr T Maitin at contact number 021 938-0891 or fax 021 938-0377.