HR191
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Forms must be downloaded from the UCT website: http://www.uct.ac.za/depts/sapweb/forms/forms.htm
This form serves as a template for the writing of job descriptions.
A copy of this form should be kept on file in your office.
For re-evaluations, this form must be sent to your relevant HR Advisor/Officer
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title (current title)
Status of Post (tick)
Research Officer (Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Health
Behaviour)

New Post
Re-evaluation
Job Grade (current grade)
Faculty (if applicable)
Health Sciences
Department
Human Biology
Section (if applicable)
UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports
Medicine (ESSM)
Date of Compilation
20th April 2012
FOR OFFICE USE
Job Title
Date of Grading
Grading Result
ORGANOGRAM
Head of Department (ESSM)
Prof. Timothy Noakes
ESSM Senior Academic staff
ESSM Academic Staff
ESSM Technical and Administrative Staff
ESSM Students
PURPOSE
The main purpose of this position is to provide epidemiological and biostatistical research support for THRIPfunded contract-based research between ESSM and Discovery Health, under the direction of senior academic staff
member and THRIP (Discovery) principal investigator, Professor Estelle Lambert. The primary function will be to
assist with statistical design, modelling, and analysis of data, under the joint research collaboration between ESSM,
Discovery, and international collaborators. In addition, depending on workload and prioritisation of projects, this
position will render overall biostatistical expertise to the ESSM Research Unit, in study design, statistical support,
5 August 2009
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HR191
and analysis. The successful candidate will also participate in post-graduate teaching in research design and
biostatistics to BSc(Med)(Hons), MPhil, MSc and PhD students.
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HR191
JOB CONTENT
Key Performance Areas (4 – 6)
Research (Epidemiological and
statistical support)
% of
time
spent
65
Activities / Objectives / Tasks
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Manage large datasets
Lead and/or contribute to the
statistical analysis of data (large
datasets and clinical trials)
Contribute to the construction of
research/ethics protocols with
respect to the study design and
statistical analysis
Contribute to the preparation of
reports and manuscripts on behalf of
the Discovery-ESSM THRIP
collaboration
Co-author manuscripts for peer
reviewed publication
Present data internally, and at
relevant meetings or conferences
Search / learn / remain abreast of
best practice methods in biostatistics
Results / Outcomes
Competencies
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Timely delivery of agreed upon
statistical analysis of data sets as
part of the Discovery-ESSM
THRIP collaboration
Data analysed according to the
current best practice methods in
biostatistics
Submission of research protocols
for ethical approval
Deliver of reports and publication
of manuscripts
Disseminate research findings
(oral/academic) according to
academic standards
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Teaching (Research Methods and
Biostatistics)
25
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Assist with the preparation and
coordination of the Research
Methods and Biostatistics module
course structure and content (with
supervision where appropriate) for
postgraduate students in Exercise
Science, Biokinetics and Sports
Medicine
Assist with teaching components of
the Research Methods and
Biostatistics module to postgraduate
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Assist with the delivery a
comprehensive and well
coordinated module course in
Research Methods and
Biostatistics for postgraduate
students in Exercise Science,
Biokinetics and Sports Medicine
Give tutorials and lectures
covering relevant aspects of
research methods and
biostatistics
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Content knowledge in
epidemiology,
biostatistics, public
health, and research
design
Research skills
focussed on
epidemiology,
biostatistics and
research methods
Research experience
where the focus has
been the application of
biostatistics
Skilled in the use of
the programme
STATA for statistical
analysis
Time management
and organization
Writing and
presentation skills (at
a scientific level)
Content knowledge in
research design and
biostatistics
Communication
Preparation and
organisation skills
HR191
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Leadership, management and
administration
5
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Social responsiveness
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students (lectures and tutorials)
Co-supervise postgraduate research
projects
Teach/train other staff members and
students in optimized / best practice
methods in biostatistics
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Assist with the coordination of
ESSM/THRIP-Discovery research
projects
Facilitate meetings and workshops
(internal and external) aimed at up
skilling researchers in biostatistics
and research methods
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Translate research findings into
policy and practice for public benefit
if relevant, under supervision
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Successful co-supervision of
post-graduate students in the
fields of Exercise Science,
Biokinetics, Sports Medicine and
Public Health
Staff/students up skilled in
optimized / best practice methods
in biostatistics
Successful completion of
publishable research projects
Equip researchers to use best
practice biostatistical methods
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Present key research findings at
talks for the public
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Leadership
Attention to detail
Time and people
management
Communication skills
Communication
Translate research
findings into useful
information for the
public
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Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Experience
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
MSc (or equivalent) in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, or health-related
field (including nutrition or exercise science or similar)
Two years of research experience in the field of epidemiology or biostatistics or
health-related field
Evidence of contribution to research publications
Experience in commercially available statistical packages, STATA is the minimum
requirement
Evidence of specific training in biostatistics and experience in statistical modelling
and/or meta-analyses
Evidence of some experience in teaching biostatistics to under-graduate or postgraduates
Evidence of ability to independently conduct research, write grants, and publish
outcomes
Document1
09 February 2016