Director: Research Unit

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is looking for an experienced and dynamic academic leader to join the Faculty of Health Sciences as the Director of its new Research Unit within the Department of Family, Community, and Emergency Care (FaCE). This is a full-time, 4-year contract position based in Cape Town.

About the Department

The Department of Family, Community, and Emergency Care (FaCE) is a recently established department at UCT. It includes specialist clinical divisions such as Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Palliative Care, Sports and Exercise Medicine, and a dedicated Primary Health Care team.

About the Role

As the Research Director, you will be instrumental in establishing and developing the FaCE Research Unit. Your primary responsibility will be to provide strategic research leadership, including co-developing a socially engaged research agenda. You will oversee the unit’s strategic direction, manage staff, budgets, and operations, and actively secure research funding. A key part of your role will be assisting other researchers with grant applications and fostering collaborations with various stakeholders. The goal is to disseminate impactful, evidence-based solutions that are relevant to the local context and socially accountable.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead teaching and learning within the research environment, including supervising Master’s and Doctoral students, mentoring supervisors, coordinating faculty development, and creating experiential learning opportunities for junior researchers.
• Conduct, lead, and coordinate research projects within the department.
• Contribute to the development, adaptation, and implementation of the departmental research strategy, including securing external funding.
• Provide leadership for the departmental research unit, directly managing research staff, resources, and budgets.
• Ensure the production of socially accountable and impactful research, aligning with departmental transformation commitments and fostering authentic, equitable relationships with community groups.
• Represent UCT and FaCE at relevant external forums and ensure research dissemination promotes optimal social impact.

What You’ll Need (Requirements)

• A PhD in a field relevant to primary health care (e.g., biomedical, clinical, rehabilitation, or social sciences).
• Proven experience in research supervision at both Master’s and Doctoral levels.
• A strong publication record as a lead or senior author in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrable experience in securing and managing external research grants or funds.
• In-depth knowledge and experience with research ethics, regulations, and governance in health research.
• Strong mentorship and research training skills.
• Ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in research software (e.g., NVivo, SPSS, Stata, R).
• Excellent leadership, team-building, and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional academic writing and communication abilities.
• Familiarity with the South African healthcare and research landscape.
• Knowledge of community-oriented primary care models.
• Understanding of higher education and postgraduate research supervision frameworks.
• Ability to travel to project sites.

Bonus Points (Advantages)

• Experience in coordinating staff development activities.
• A track record in initiating and sustaining national, continental, or global research networks.
• Ability to work with a variety of research methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative).
• Experience in translating research strategy into practical implementation.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation.
• Multilingual proficiency, particularly relevant for the Western Cape.

Salary & Benefits

The academic level of appointment will be determined based on your current position, experience, and the Faculty’s expectations. The annual remuneration package, including benefits, will be in line with UCT’s standard academic salary package at the appropriate level. Expected salary ranges are:

• Senior Lecturer: between R795,970 and R1,147,460 annually
• Associate Professor: between R941,135 and R1,378,741 annually

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click the ‘apply’ button on the UCT job portal to create a candidate profile and submit your application. Ensure you attach/complete the following documents:

• Your comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A motivational letter explaining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of this position.
• Proof of professional registration.
• Details of three referees, including their title, name, position, relationship to you, email address, and telephone number.
• Your highest qualification certificate.
• A copy of your ID or Passport.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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

For any enquiries about the application process, please contact Ms Tracy Moore at [email protected] or 021 650 5405.

Closing date for applications: 2 November 2025

UCT is committed to employment equity and actively promotes diversity and redress to achieve its equity targets. Preference will be given to candidates from under-represented designated groups in accordance with the University’s Employment Equity Plan. UCT reserves the right not to appoint.