Human Sciences Research Council Jobs 2021 for Senior Research Specialist

In delivering ‘social science that makes a difference’, the Research Programmes of the Human Sciences Research Council initiate and undertake policy-oriented research projects and programmes from its offices in Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria. Its public-purpose mandate is set out in the Human Sciences Research Council Act of 2008.

The Impact Centre draws on diverse perspectives, skills and partnerships to generate, measure and communicate impactful research on critical challenges facing South Africa and the world. In fulfilling the HSRC’s public good mandate, the Impact Centre will conduct rigorous, creative and relevant impact research for the public good; conduct large-scale quantitative and representative surveys that are the basis for complex data analytics, modelling and simulations and leverage a wide range of expertise, convene multi-stakeholder forums, promote and produce evidence-informed understanding on impact.

The vision of the Impact Assessment Unit is to contribute towards measuring and showcasing the impact of the HSRC’s work, as well as undertake research on impact that is relevant to the country’s development agenda. This will be achieved by partnering with other HSRC divisions, centres and units, and through collaboration with similar sister science council organisations and/or with other community of practice partners to drive evidence driven programming with the aim of achieving desired social, economic and development impacts.

Job Title: Senior Research Specialist
Location: Nationwide, Nationwide, South Africa
Reference #: SRSIC/11/21
Contract Type: Contract
5 Years
Salary: Market Related

Job Summary:
Potential Senior Research Specialist candidates should have strong analytical skills including good understanding of research methods, advanced data analysis skills, understanding of rigorous impact evaluation methods, systematic reviews, meta-analysis and statistical/mathematical modelling and good analytical thinking. An understanding of programming languages (C+, MATLAB etc) will be an added advantage.

The SRS will contribute towards all aspects of the research process; he/she is expected to contribute substantially towards the following activities:
•Support the impact agenda of the Impact Centre and the HSRC;
•Work with HSRC Impact research -sub-units within division and support their impact work,
•Network with key research users and funders to understand their research needs, and develop contacts with policy-makers outside the HSRC;
•Conducting high level policy research and analysis which meets the requirements of peer review, and has national and international significance (conceptualisation of research projects, formulate research questions, write research proposals);
•Conduct problem-oriented interdisciplinary research (including using appropriate complex methodologies);
•Assist in securing funding, commissions and formulating successful grant applications;
•Communicating research findings; publishing in refereed journals; and producing dialogue reports and policy briefs
•Mentor colleagues, collaborate with institutions of higher education and contribute to the growth of the science communication in the HSRC

Requirements:
•Applicants must hold a PhD degree in any one of the following areas:
•Statistics/biostatistics
•Mathematics
•Economics
•Demography any other relevant quantitative related field;
•Computer Science/Informatics
•Candidates must have an interest in practices and research that seeks to enhance the use and impact of scientific research;
•Computer literacy including MS Office and appropriate statistical/Mathematics/Econometric packages (R, STATA, SAS, C+ or similar);
•Interest in Big Data, Artificial intelligence (AI), system thinking is a big advantage.
•Good planning and organisational skills, including the ability to working well under pressure;
•Good communication skills (verbal as well as report writing);
•Have 7 to 10 research publications in peer review journals (at least 3 first authored)
•A sound conceptual grounding in quantitative research methods;

APPLICATIONS:
(1) a one-page cover letter of motivation indicating your suitability for the position; (2) your CV, that indicates your nationality, citizenship or residency status; (3) three published articles in an academic journal (at least one first authored) (4) the details of three recent referees of which two should be academic referees with telephone, fax or e-mail contact details.

To Apply:

Click Here!

Application Deadline: 15/01/2022