Data Scientist

Payclass 10 (25-month contract)

South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI) Department of Pathology

The South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI) performs cutting edge clinical, epidemiological and immunological research in clinical vaccine development, TB pathogenesis and biomarker discovery in a setting where TB is endemic. We have completed 31 clinical trials of nine novel TB vaccine candidates as well as BCG vaccine, including two pivotal trials that demonstrated efficacy. We are also leading efforts, along with a large international consortium, to discover immune correlates of vaccine protection against TB, including in lung and lymph node tissues.

We are inviting applications for a Data Scientist (PASS, PC10) position within our dynamic clinical immunology group. The successful candidate will design, development, and execution of computational analyses of high-dimensional omics and immunology datasets, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and flow cytometry data relating to studies of M. tuberculosis infection, TB disease and/or vaccine trials of TB vaccines. The role will integrate domain knowledge of TB pathogenesis and vaccine trial immunology with data analysis approaches. The Data Scientist may also develop, implement and maintain reproducible analysis pipelines, computational workflows, and data-management systems, perform rigorous QC and ensure best practices for coding, version control, data sharing and documentation. The role will provide bioinformatics and biostatistical support, advice and solutions to SATVI investigators and collaborators, contribute to study design and participate actively in internal and external project meetings and discussions.

The position will be located in Cape Town and may require visits to our Clinical Field Site in Worcester, 110km from Cape Town. The position will provide opportunities to work in collaboration with local and global leaders in immunology, vaccinology and systems biology. For more information on SATVI, visit www.satvi.uct.ac.za  or contact Prof Thomas Scriba.

Requirements for the job:

• PhD in immunology, computational biology, statistics or related field
• 2 years of postdoctoral experience
• Experience in clinical/vaccine trial immunology 
• Expertise in analysis of high-dimensional immunology datasets and experience in scripting/programming languages (R or Python) 
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation skills and fluency in English 

The following will be advantageous:

• Experience in single-cell sequencing; flow cytometry

• Knowledge and experience in high performance computing clusters; cloud computing; version controlling (i.e. Git)

• Knowledge of statistical methods relevant to biomedical sciences

• Scientific and technical writing

Responsibilities:

• Design, execution, quality assurance, analysis, interpretation and reporting of molecular or cellular datasets of human immune responses in clinical trials of novel TB vaccines or of immune responses in peripheral blood as well as human tissues (e.g. lung and lymph nodes).
• Develop, implement and maintain reproducible analysis pipelines, computational workflows, and data-management systems.
• Perform data QC and ensure best practices for coding, version control, data sharing and documentation.
• Provide bioinformatics and biostatistical support, advice and solutions to SATVI colleagues.

For detailed information on this post, please view the job description, see link: view

The annual remuneration package for 2026, including benefits, is between is between R661 967 and R778 783.

To apply, click 'apply' to create a profile and submit your application.

Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivational letter that speaks to the requirements of the position and
• Evidence of a portfolio of scripting/coding for data quality management
• Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address and telephone number.
• ID/Passport
• Highest qualification

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency and pre-placement-medical assessments. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any enquiries around the application process to be addressed to Ms Tracy Moore at tracy.moore@uct.ac.za or 021 650 5405.

Closing date:               19 March 2026

Website:                       www.satvi.uct.ac.za

Reference number:      ID1281

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 https://uct.ac.za/media/9482.

When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks. For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email popia@uct.ac.za.

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.