Request for Expressions of Interest to Host Postdoctoral Fellows under the SAMRC Intra-Mural Postdoctoral Programme

The South African Medical Research Council's Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) invites Unit Directors/Managers and Principal Investigators within the Intra-Mural Research Units, Centres and Platforms (all) to submit their expressions of interest (EOIs) to host Research Fellows under the SAMRC Intra-Mural Postdoctoral Programme.  

The applicant Unit Directors/Managers may submit up to three EOIs per Unit, with different projects to host Research Fellows. Submitted research projects will be assessed, and only highly ranked unit projects will be advertised in requests for applications (RFA) to identify suitable postdoctoral candidates.

The purpose of the SAMRC Intra-mural Postdoctoral Programme is to contribute to and assist in accelerating research capacity development and scientific leadership by creating opportunities to host and retain postdoctoral scientists who have demonstrated the potential to become established researchers. Postdoctoral fellows play a crucial role in strengthening the research team and student supervision.

The value of the award is R350 000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Rand) (tax-free funding) p.a. with a taxable top of R50 000 p.a. The period for the award is five years, comprising three (3) years and a further extension for two years, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. Funding for each financial year is subject to the receipt of satisfactory progress reports and the availability of funding for the programme.

The hosting Unit Director/Platform Manager and/or Principal Investigator (mentor) shall provide the necessary research running expenses, infrastructure, career and skills development, and mentorship.  In their EOI, the applicant unit must demonstrate existing collaboration and affiliation of the mentor with academic institutions to facilitate the postdoctoral fellow's career development within both the academic and research environment.

Requirements to host a Research Fellow

• The rationale for the Unit/Platform to host a postdoctoral fellow (motivation by the Unit Director/Platform Manager)
• Evidence of an approved/funded research proposal with ethical approval (where applicable)
• Evidence of a proven track record in research supervision and mentorship  
• Evidence of available support structures and infrastructure to host a postdoctoral researcher
• A clear plan for academic development of the postdoctoral fellow (clear mentorship plan)
• Collaboration and co-affiliation with the historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs) will be prioritised.

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications and extend the closing date. Only successful projects will be advertised in the request for applications to identify suitable postdoctoral candidates.

Application process

The expression of interest form must be completed online here by no later than 9 October 2024.

A completed expression of interest form with supporting documentation (also listed on the form) must be sent by the applicant Unit Directors/Managers or the Principal Investigators to RCDgrants.applications@mrc.ac.za before or on the closing date (09 October 2024 at 23Hh59).

For further enquiries, contact Dr Frederic Nduhirabandi (email: frederic.nduhirabandi@mrc.ac.za or Tel: +27219380461).

Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
Please note that by submitting the expression of interest application and other supporting documents, the SAMRC concludes that you are a competent person to consent and that you are giving consent to the SAMRC to process and further process all personal information contained in the application forms and supporting documents in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act No 4 of 2013 (as amended). You can read the full details on the act here: https://popia.co.za/

The SAMRC as a responsible statutory science council will comply with POPIA. The SAMRC will receive personal information through applications submitted to the SAMRC for the purposes of applying for funding. The personal information requested on the application template is necessary for the SAMRC to fully evaluate the applications for funding. This information will be shared with members of the Selection Committees of the SAMRC and external funders and/or stakeholders where applicable, as well as the SAMRC management for the purposes of processing the applications. The SAMRC will process this personal information strictly in accordance with POPIA. The SAMRC undertakes specifically to process the personal information on the basis that (a) it was provided voluntarily and (b) the information will be processed only as far may be necessary and within the limitation and ambit of the purpose of evaluating the application for funding (i.e., the purpose with which the personal information was received).

The SAMRC confirms that it is lawfully processing the information since the purpose of processing is to seek quality research proposals for funding which the SAMRC is mandated to do in terms of Section 4 of the SAMRC Act 58 of 1991; thus, the SAMRC is fulfilling its legislated and lawful mandate, and strategic objectives as provided for in the SAMRC Act. Should you not approve of such use of your personal information, please refrain from applying.