Vaccines for Africa Initiative (VACFA) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2017 – South Africa

Vaccines for Africa Initiative (VACFA) invite applications from a qualified doctoral graduate for a postdoctoral research fellowship in the area of evidence-based vaccinology.

Application Deadline: Ongoing

Eligible Countries: African countries

To Be Taken At (Country): South Africa

About the Award: VACFA is under the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research (CIDER), which is within the School of Public Health and Family Medicine (SPH&FM). VACFA is based in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT). VACFA’s vision is an Africa free of vaccine preventable diseases. To achieve this vision, VACFA conducts activities in the following areas:
 Research
 Training/Teaching
 Advocacy & Communication

The successful postdoctoral fellow will participate in the following research areas at VACFA:

• Research
  • Conduct systematic reviews in the field of vaccinology. You will be required to initiate, develop, design and write up systematic review protocols. Subsequently, you are expected to implement the protocols, perform data analysis as well as writing of systematic review manuscripts. You may be required to communicate or present the progress of the studies, on behalf of VACFA, to the sponsors.
  • Overseeing the ongoing systematic review studies at VACFA.
  • Support other clinical/public health research projects at VACFA.
• Training/Teaching
  • Teaching and co-supervision of graduate students. You will not be directing their research; however, you would be involved in the daily supervision of conducting systematic reviews, and in guiding the students to write up their theses.
  • Assist in funding applications for VACFA.
  • Assist in developing teaching/training materials for diverse users.
• Advocacy & Communication
  • Use web analytics to improve VACFA’s advocacy and communication plan, specifically via the website and any other social media platform.
  • Assist with website administration duties: VACFA’s website is a critical tool for vaccines’ information dissemination to a diverse audience, both locally and internationally.

Type: Fellowship, Research

Eligibility: 

• have a passion in the field of evidence-based research and immunization programs. Previous experience in evidence-based medicine research is advantageous;
• have obtained a doctoral degree in any relevant field within the past 5 years (eg public health/immunology/health systems/epidemiology/social sciences);
• have held no previous professional or academic posts;
• be willing to take up the fellowship as soon as possible;
• evidence of research output in any of the research areas outlined above;
• be able to work in an interdisciplinary team environment;
• have good organizational and management skills;
• have good written and oral communication skills;
• be prepared to undertake limited teaching/supervision duties as part of his/her professional development;
• be prepared to register at the University of Cape Town as a postdoctoral research fellow and to comply with the policies and practices of the Postdoctoral Research Sector of the University

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: The fellowship has a tax-free value of R250,00 to R300,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience.

Duration of Program: The duration of the fellowship is one year. The fellowship is renewable on evidence of satisfactory performance and availability of continued funding.

How to Apply: Apply by email to [email protected], providing the following documentation:

• a cover letter describing the applicant’s research interests and indicating how these align with the advertisement;
• a CV that includes full details of publications;
• copies of all academic transcripts and certificates for previous degrees and for the doctoral degree;
• the names of three academic referees with whom the applicant has worked with in the past.

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: University of Cape Town

Important Notes: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The University of Cape Town reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications. The University of Cape Town reserves the right to change the conditions of award or to make no awards at all.