Research Assistant (12 Months Fixed Term Contract - Wits Health Consortium)

SUMMARY:
Background:

• Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Limited ("WHC") is a wholly-owned Company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa) under its Faculty of Health Sciences
• WHC provides Faculty with a legal framework within which to operate the research and other activities necessary to support its academic objectives
• In addition, WHC offers a range of products and services to Academics

POSITION INFO:
Division:      Wits Donald Gordon Medical Research Institute 
 
Main purpose of the job:

• The Research Assistant will coordinate the implementation of a prospective clinical and translational research study investigating the molecular mechanisms of diabetic kidney disease in African ancestry populations using cutting-edge genomic technologies (DKD-Gen Study)

• Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre- 27 Eton Road, Parktown

• Screen nephrology clinic lists, biopsy bookings, and any other types of multidisciplinary meetings to identify potentially eligible Participants
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Nephrologists, Renal Nurses, Pathologists, Radiologists, Theatre personnel and Administrative staff to facilitate Participant identification and recruitment
• Coordinate Participant recruitment across participating clinical sites within the Wits Academic Teaching Hospitals Complex and other participating centres
• Obtain written informed consent in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and approved ethics protocols
• Conduct Participant interviews and administer study questionnaires
• Collect detailed demographic, clinical and medical history information
• Coordinate Participant follow-up visits where required
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize Participant recruitment and retention
• Coordinate collection of kidney biopsy tissue, nephrectomy tissue (where appropriate), blood and urine specimens
• Coordinate specimen collection alongside clinically indicated kidney biopsies and surgical procedures
• Ensure accurate specimen labelling, processing, preservation, storage and transport according to study
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Maintain specimen tracking logs and chain-of-custody documentation
• Coordinate shipment of biological specimens to collaborating laboratories, including Helmholtz Munich
• Order and maintain study consumables required for specimen collection and processing
• Maintain accurate biospecimen inventory records and ensure compliance with study SOPs, biosafety and biobanking requirements
• Capture research data accurately using REDCap electronic data capture systems
• Perform routine quality control and quality assurance procedures
• Maintain study databases, source documents and regulatory files
• Resolve data queries in collaboration with Investigators
• Ensure compliance with study protocols, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), POPIA, institutional policies and ethical requirements
• Coordinate scheduling of Participant visits, kidney biopsies, sample collection and laboratory processing
• Coordinate day-to-day study activities across participating sites
• Monitor recruitment targets, study milestones and timelines
• Liaise with Investigators, Clinicians, pathology laboratories and collaborating institutions
• Maintain study logs, screening logs and Participant tracking databases
• Assist with preparation of ethics submissions, protocol amendments and annual progress reports
• Coordinate study meetings and prepare study reports as required
• Assist with preliminary data summaries and quality reports
• Support preparation of conference abstracts, presentations and peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Participate in study meetings and contribute to the continuous improvement of study procedures
• Undertake other research-related duties as delegated by the Principal Investigator

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing/ Medical Sciences/ Biomedical Sciences/ Human Genetics/ Biological Sciences/ Public Health or relevant Health related discipline

• Registered with the South African National Council (SANC)

• Minimum 2 years’ experience Coordinating or Supporting Human Clinical Research Studies

• Experience with electronic data capture systems such as REDCap
• Experience working within research ethics and GCP requirements
• Previous experience in nephrology, diabetes, pathology, surgery, molecular biology or genomics research
• Experience working within academic or hospital-based research environments
• Experience with kidney biopsy procedures or biobanking would be advantageous
• Familiarity with South African Human Research Ethics Committee requirements
• Experience coordinating multi-site clinical research studies
• Experience contributing to scientific publications or conference presentations
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage professionally and compassionately with Patients and Clinical staff
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive clinical information
• Ability to prioritize competing tasks within a busy clinical environment
• High level of accuracy in data capture and documentation
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
• Valid South African driver's license
• Own a car and be willing to drive between study sites
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV and a cover letter (maximum one page) with two contactable references
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
• Closing date: 27 July 2026
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position