Research development
| Opportunities for Research Training |
|
MRC Research Training Internships for Black Scientists
The purpose of the Research Training Internship is to train and mentor
young black researchers and to prepare them up to a level of suitability
to be appointed as researchers and, to increase the human resource base of
health researchers in the country. The programme also provides an opportunity
to train researchers:
- in areas where there are no or minimal researchers, and
- in those disciplines that are not included in postgraduate training
programmes in tertiary institutions.
Research trainees are
MRC employees appointed to work in MRC units, groups and lead programmes.
Who Qualifies
for an Internship
- Black graduates with
a four year undergraduate degree or a honours degree
- South African citizens
or permanent residents
- The mentor or co-mentor
must be in a MRC lead programme/group/unit/centre or be a MRC-funded researcher.
Period of Funding
- 12 months, renewable
upon satisfactory progress
- Maximum of three years
for research trainees registered for masters and four years for doctoral degree
Remuneration
(taxable)
- Pre- Masters: minimum
salary scale equivalent to that of a Senior research technician per annum + R5000 for continuing education which can be used for either registration or conference attendance.
- Pre- Doctoral: minimum
salary equivalent to that of a research technologist per annum + R5 000 for continuing education described above.
- Research programmes
may top-up the salary up to a maximum of 80% of the starting salary for
a MRC junior scientist (pre-masters) or scientist (post-masters level)
Employment conditions
Research trainees appointed
as MRC employees and therefore under the MRC conditions of service with
amendments as stipulated in the policy document
Recruitment process
- Generic Black but 70% African Black
- 70% female
- Academic record/potential of the applicant
- Research area linked to MRC strategic priority health programme
- Mentor or co-mentor must be at an MRC programme/group/unit or be an MRC funded researcher in a priority area for scarce skills development e.g. Health Economics
- Suitable outcomes plan from the unit for the 12 month training period
- Proof of acceptance of internship policy conditions by mentor and mentee and submission of their contract containing the mentee's development plan.
Application Process
Eligible candidates and
mentors must complete an application form which is reviewed by a committee.
Selection Criteria
- Population Group
- Gender
- Academic record/potential
of the applicant
- Research area
- Applicants discipline
- Mentor or co-mentor
must be at a MRC programme/group/unit or be a MRC funded researcher in
priority areas for skills development e.g. Health Economics
- Suitable work plan for
the 12 month training period
Renewals
- Dependent on satisfactory
progress during the current internship period
- Appointment will only be finalised once proof of finalisation of a prerequisite degree has been provided.
Successful applicants
are required to:
- Submit quarterly progress
reports.
- Yearly progress reports
submitted with the renewal application.
General
- Training or skill development
workshops take place annually
- Mentorship is a key
component of this programme
Closing Date
30 September
Contact Person
Lebogang Montewa, lebogang.montewa@mrc.ac.za |
