Research Medical Officer

Description:

The purpose of the Wong Lab Research Medical Officer post is to coordinate TB research and clinical review for all Wong Lab clinical studies, including scTBio, SIPRO-TB, ATTIS, and future studies. The successful candidate will provide day-to-day oversight of assigned studies under the guidance of the Clinical Research Coordinator, and in collaboration with other scientific and operational support staff.

Overview of Duties:

Overview of duties:

Planning, coordination, and implementation of TB research studies

• Develop study protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Coordinate submissions for study approvals to relevant ethics committees, Department of Health committees and other regulatory authorities if required.
• Maintain a rigorous and organised filing system on project documents, SOPs, and study progress.
• Develop electronic case report forms (CRFs) and other study materials.
• Training field and health facility-based staff.
• Coordinate the day-to-day activities of study staff.
• Organize regular meetings with study staff.
• Develop quality assurance plan for field research activities.
• Preparing project reports and communicating progress; reporting difficulties and challenges arising during project implementation.
• Monitoring expenditure on research projects.

Oversight of data quality control and assurance processes

• Prepare data quality control and assurance plans for projects, in liaison with the Research Data Management team.
• Ensure study staff are appropriately trained and up to date with data entry procedures.
• Collate and review data quality reports and make corrections as necessary.

Development of reports, manuscripts, grant applications and scientific outputs

• Collate background data and conduct literature reviews to support reports, grant applications and manuscripts.
• Contribute to drafting of grant applications reports, grant applications and manuscripts.
• Develop budgets in liaison with scientific support staff.
• Analyse data and prepare scientific manuscripts, conference abstracts and other scientific output.
• Develop ideas and proposals for analyses of existing research data.
• Develop proposals for fellowships and other grants as appropriate.

Liaison with Department of Health and other key stakeholders

• Ensure regular liaison with TB programme staff at sub-district, district and provincial Department of Health to discuss research plans and feedback research findings.
• Liaise with Community Engagement Unit (CEU) and Community Advisory Board (CAB) as necessary to discuss and seek approval for research projects, and to feedback research findings.
   

Clinical management of research participants

• Prepare for clinical review conferences as required by protocol. Document results systematically. 
• Review of laboratory results and coordination of referral to other healthcare facilities if necessary.
• Review of chest x-rays and coordination of referral to other healthcare facilities if necessary, including for incidental findings.
• Clinical review of participants at the clinic if necessary, according to the study SOPs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Qualification as a Medical Doctor (MBChB, MD)
• Completed Internship and Community Service
• Registered with the HPCSA
• PhD in biology or data science would be an added advantage
• At least 1 first-author manuscript 
   

Minimum Experience

• At least 3 year’s research experience. 
• Experience of TB research and/or clinical management within the South African health system would be advantageous.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Good understanding of project/research operations including experience in data management, data analysis and preparation of manuscripts and project reports.
• Ability to plan properly and to work independently and within a team.
• Excellent command of English.
• Fluency in IsiZulu would be an added advantage.

Skills Required

• High personal motivation and self-management.
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff.
• Ability to budget and manage expenditure for day-to-day project activities.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.
• Ability to prioritise work and manage deadlines and make progress with minimal supervision.

Worker Type:

Employee

The application closing date:

2 Feb 2026

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.