Researcher (60 Months Fixed Term Contract - Wits SBIMB)

SUMMARY:
Background:

• Named after Nobel Laureate and Wits University graduate, Sydney Brenner, the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) is a burgeoning multi-disciplinary research institute dedicated to investigating the molecular and genomic aetiology of diseases among African populations

• To conduct biomedical molecular and genomic research addressing health priorities in Africans

• To become a leader in biomedical research on the African continent, conducting world-class, innovative and relevant research, that will benefit the southern African community, and to excel as a centre for learning

POSITION INFO:
Division: Sydner Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience
 
Main purpose of the job:

• To perform bioinformatics and computational genomics research and provide support to research projects focused on African populations, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and population genetics
• The role is to perform independent research and to support Researcher activities by performing data processing, analysis, documentation, and contributing to research outputs, while building independent research capacity and publishing research
• This includes supervising postgraduates and guide young postdoctoral fellows
• Apply for grants to support research activities

• 9 Jubilee Road, Parktown

• Develop research protocols, analysis plans, and data management documentation
• Participate and manage project planning meetings and contribute analytical input
• Assist with the preparation of grant proposals and ethics submissions
• Maintain organised records of analysis and project documentation
• Management of data and analytical workflows
• Implement standard bioinformatics and statistical genetics pipelines under guidance
• Perform data cleaning, quality control, and basic exploratory analysis
• Manage the harmonisation of datasets across projects or sites
• Report analytical challenges to team members
• Implement standard bioinformatics and statistical genetics pipelines
• Lead and train others on the components of genomic analyses, such as GWAS, population structure analysis, or polygenic risk score
• Perform functional annotation and summary analysis
• Generate figures, tables, and summaries for reports and publications
• Contribute and lead internal research reports and progress updates
• Lead drafting methods, results, and supplementary material for manuscripts
• Draft and develop project proposals
• Publish research findings
• Apply for research funding
• Supervise and mentor Students and early career Scientists
• Participate in research meetings, journal clubs, and seminars

• PhD in Genomics, Bioinformatics, Life Sciences or a related field

• 7 Years’ Postdoctoral Research experience in Genomics or Bioinformatics
• Demonstrated experience in genome-wide association studies (GWAS), statistical genetics, or human genetics research
• Publication record and funding success

• Sound understanding of population genetics and human genomic variation, particularly in African populations
• Experience in scientific publication of research findings
• Record in securing research funding
• Experience performing and supporting genomic analyses for non-communicable disease research (e.g. cardiometabolic disease, cancer, neurological or metabolic traits)
• Experience in GWAS, quality control pipelines, basic population structure analysis, and interpretation of genetic results
• Advanced experience using bioinformatics tools, scripts, and pipelines in R, Python, and/or Bash
• Sound experience with high-performance computing environments and version control systems

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV with three references
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• 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: 16 October 2026

• 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
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