SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER

(4-year contract)

HIV Mental Health Research Unit

Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

The HIV Mental Health Research Unit within the Division of Neuropsychiatry seeks to appoint a Senior Research Officer / Clinical Psychologist / Social Scientist to manage a hybrid effectiveness trial of the reach, uptake and effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Adherence and Depression (CBT-AD), in 10 health clinics in the City of Cape Town.

The research is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health in the U.S. and is a R01 grant, in collaboration with investigators from the University of Miami, and the Massachussets General Hospital. We invite applications from suitably qualified candidates for immediate appointment for this full-time, 4-year contract position.

The Senior Research Officer will primarily be responsible for the day-to-day running of the project as well as oversight, training and supervision of all staff. The ideal candidate would be a self-motivated, driven researcher / clinician with research experience and strong leadership qualities.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. degree (or near completion) or equivalent in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry or a related social science.
• Demonstrable clinical research experience preferably in community based behavioural or psychotherapy research
• Demonstrable clinical or theoretical knowledge of evidence-based brief psychotherapies
• Demonstrable experience training non-mental health professionals such as nurses, social workers and/or lay counsellors
• Demonstrable experience working in HIV and awareness of antiretroviral (ART) adherence issues
• Demonstrable project management experience
• Organisational and logistical skills, including experience in writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
• Computing skills appropriate for clinical research
• Verbal, written and reading fluency in English
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Valid Driver’s License and own reliable transport
• Ability to manage a team and work well within the team

Advantageous:

• Ability to work with or supervise staff working in the field of depression and ART adherence
• Demonstrable research experience related to data safety and monitoring in a clinical trial
• Experience using REDCap or other data management software
• Knowledge or awareness of biological measures of antiretroviral adherence
• Familiarity with UCT (or other tertiary institution) administration processes

Responsibilities:

• Project managing Project Sisonke: an RCT on the implementation and effectiveness of CBT-AD to improve ART adherence and depression in primary care.
• Supervising the study team comprising research assistants, nurses, and a part-time psychologist
• Teaching and supervising at a postgraduate level
• Liaising with project partners, government, and other stakeholders
• Liaising with internal UCT administration, communications, and finance systems in relation to project administration
• Assisting in securing the required permission to conduct the study with relevant government stakeholders
• Adapting and preparing study materials including manuals and worksheets
• Overseeing the recruitment and retention of participants
• Oversight of data collection
• Completing and submitting study forms and reports
• Managing project finances
• Report and manuscript writing
• Troubleshooting including resolving fieldwork and project-related problems as they arise

For detailed information on this post, please view the job description on the following link: (view)

The annual remuneration package, including benefits for 2024 is between R752 334 and R1 084 555.  

To apply, click the "apply" button to create a candidate profile and to submit your application.

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

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A motivation letter that speaks to the requirement of the position and how your research and teaching interests will fit in with the Department.
• 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:              18 December 2024                                     

Website:                     https://health.uct.ac.za/department-psychiatry

Reference number:    ID 944

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.

UCT reserves the right not to appoint.