Project Manager (12 Month Fixed Term Contract - Wits AIRU)

Background:

AIRU:

• The SAMRC/NICD Antibody Immunity Research Unit conducts research on the development of new vaccines and new approaches to controlling infectious diseases. The Unit’s research seeks to establish a deeper understanding of antibody responses to infection in order to design better vaccines for the African region which bears the largest burden of infectious disease

More Information:

• The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is a national public health institute for South Africa, providing disease surveillance, specialised diagnostic services, outbreak response, public health research and capacity building to support the government’s response to communicable disease threats

Main Purpose of the Job:

• A position exists for a Scientific Project Manager in the Antibody Immunity Research Unit (AIRU), based at the NICD to provide support for HIV clinical trial immunogenicity outcomes

Location:

• NICD, Sandringham, Johannesburg

Key Performance Areas:

Project Management:

• Oversee day-to-day operations of AIRU-ABAC, reporting to the PIs and AIRU Director
• Manage clinical trial activities across the full lifecycle, maintaining timelines, milestones and deliverables
• Schedule and minute team meetings and keep a diverse scientific team on track

Stakeholder & Collaborator Coordination:

• Serve as the central point of contact between AIRU, Clinical teams, Sponsors and Collaborators
• Prepare and coordinate presentations for Funders, Collaborators and Research Symposia

Scientific Writing & Reporting:

• Support the PIs and AIRU Director in drafting and editing grant applications, grant reports and research abstracts and manuscripts
• Needs to be able to apply scientific judgement to consolidate findings into clear formats for varied audiences

Assay Development and Validation:

• Assist in drafting new SOPs as well as planning and coordinating assay validation and verification, including documentation, data review and final reports

Operational Support:

• Keep day-to-day laboratory operations running smoothly by coordinating sample shipments, requests and data transfers, facilitating DTAs and MTAs, and ensuring reagents, equipment and systems are available when needed

Required Minimum Education and Training:

• PhD in Microbiology, Virology, Immunology or a related discipline
• An MSc will be considered if aligned with exceptional experience

Required Minimum Work Experience:

• Five years of laboratory experience, two years of project management experience and a strong understanding of immunology

Desirable Additional Education, Work Experience and Personal Abilities:

• The successful candidate will have a strong scientific background, including an MSc/ PhD in a relevant biomedical or health science discipline
• They will have shown ability in data analysis, scientific writing and presentation development, and have published peer-reviewed papers
• They will be familiar with laboratory QA/QC systems and assay validation
• They should communicate well, be able to represent the Unit confidently with external Partners, and manage several projects at once with a high degree of independence

TO APPLY:

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV with a Copy of qualifications and ID
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• 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: 27 November 2026
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

Please note:

• 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
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position

Desired Skills:

• Project Manager
• Scientific Writing
• Reporting Skills
• Quality Assurance
• Quality Control
• Scientific Background
• Sandringham

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