Senior Research Officer/Chief Research Officer/Principal Research Officer

Prefered skills

Diversity, Curriculum, Presentation Skills, Employee Benefits, Evidence, Research Projects, Research Skills, Collaboration Solutions, Defining Requirements, Working Experience

Job description

The Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products (REEP), based at the University of Cape Town, is the premier research group on the economics of tobacco control in Africa. It is also a Knowledge Hub for the Convention Secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (one of only eight worldwide). Our goal is to support public health through independent and rigorous research. We are a dynamic, collegial, and collaborative team. REEP currently has a vacancy for a Senior Research Officer (the research equivalent of Senior Lecturer), or a Chief Research Officer (the research equivalent of Associate Professor), or a Principal Research Officer (the research equivalent of Professor). This appointment will be on a permanent, soft-funded basis, and the successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be part of a team of economists whose research and policy work is focused on the economics of tobacco control and alcohol policy. To see the type of research that we do, please visit our website.
 
Requirements for all levels:
      A completed PhD in economics or a related discipline
      Proficient in Stata or similar statistics software
      Publication track record in public health or economics
      Proficient in Excel
      Willingness to travel internationally
      Strong written, oral and presentation skills
      Experience in conducting seminars and presentations
      Proven ability to mentor junior colleagues, postdoctoral fellows, and postgraduate students
      Proven ability to lead research projects
      Has never received funding from the tobacco, nicotine, and/or alcohol industries
Additional requirements for Senior Research Officer:
      At least three peer-reviewed journal publications (the candidate should be the main contributor on at least two publications)
 
Additional requirements for Chief Research Officer:
      At least ten peer-reviewed journal publications
      A well-established national and international research reputation in the economics of tobacco control or alcohol policy (e.g., a research rating by the National Research Foundation (NRF), or a record of reviewing for high-end peer-reviewed journals, or international collaborations on publications and projects)
      Proven ability to raise research funding
 
Additional requirements for Principal Research Officer:
      At least 15 peer-reviewed journal publications
      Evidence of international standing, with extensive research leadership experience in the economics of tobacco control
      Proven experience in running a research or policy unit
 
The following will be advantageous:
      Ability to communicate in French or Spanish
      Proven ability to supervise Masters and PhD theses
 
Responsibilities:
      Initiate and undertake research on the economics of tobacco control and alcohol policy
      Initiate funding proposals
      Publish research in peer-reviewed journals
      Lead research projects
      Supervise postgraduate students
      Present research at workshops and conferences
      Travel to countries to provide in-country technical assistance
      Lead grant-writing and reporting to funders
      Engage with stakeholders, including international organisations, government, and the media
 
The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is:
      Senior Research Officer    - R1 027 040
      Chief Research Officer      - R1 232 882
      Principal Research Officer  - R1 504 192
  
To apply, please e-mail the below documents in a single pdf file (max size 10Mb) to Ms Abigail Dixon at  recruitment03@uct.ac.za
 
-    UCT application form (download at http://forms.uct.ac.za/hr201.doc);
-    Letter of motivation; and
-    Curriculum vitae (CV)
 
Please ensure that the title and reference number are indicated in the subject line. Please also indicate which level you are applying for.
 
An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete and might not be considered. The application should include at least three names and email addresses of contactable referees. 
 
Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete an assessment and may be required to provide a university transcript.
 
Telephone:                021 650 1673                         Website:       https://commerce.uct.ac.za/reep
 
Reference number:   E230253                                            Closing date: 14 July 2023
 
UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf.
 
UCT reserves the right not to appoint.