1
RESEARCH OFFICER
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
INFORMATION SHEET
Department:
Location:
Grade:
Responsible to:
Works closely with:
Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IIDMM)
Khayelitsha District Hospital (KDH) and Ubuntu HIV-TB clinic, Site B Khayelitsha and the
Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town.
Medical Officer
Professor Graeme Meintjes and Dr Charlotte Schutz
Khayelitsha District Hospital Staff, Ubuntu clinic staff and Wilkinson Group research staff at
KDH, Ubuntu Clinic and the IIDMM.
Summary of post:
This post will be held at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IIDMM) within the Faculty of Health
Sciences of the University of Cape Town (UCT). The daily activities of this post will be 90% based at clinical research
sites in the community of Khayelitsha and 10% at the IDM.
A MBChB graduate who has experience in the clinical management of patients with Tuberculosis and HIV-related
conditions is sought to work as research medical officer on two large clinical studies conducted in the community of
Khayelithsa by Professor Graeme Meintjes. One study is a prospective observational cohort study of 660 patients and one
is a randomized controlled trial. The post will also involve recruitment of participants and supervision across other smaller
studies within the group. Some prior experience of clinical research will be very advantageous. A high level of knowledge
and experience in HIV and TB clinical practice is required, such that the Medical Officer could assess complex cases with
HIV and TB co-infection independently and discuss with consultants when appropriate.
The post is supported by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) and a Wellcome
Trust Intermediate Fellowship awarded to Prof Graeme Meintjes. The term of the post will initially be a 6 month contract
with a possibility of renewal until the studies are completed.
Duties and Responsibilities:
To carry out clinical and related medical research activities of both studies and relevant sub-studies.
Duties may therefore include:










Recruitment of study participants, clinical assessment and clinical management of participants.
Completion of all relevant study documentation according to study standard operating procedures.
Maintenance of, cross-checking, and entry of accurate data at clinical site according to South African and international
Good Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Close liaison and maintenance of effective communication with the other study staff and site staff members.
Management, supervision and teaching of clinical research staff as required by the project.
May need to conduct or oversee conduction of all necessary study procedures like phlebotomy, induced sputum and
collection of any other clinical samples as required.
Transport of blood specimens to the laboratory from the clinical site may be required at times.
Development or revision of study standard operating procedures as needed.
Performance of echocardiography after appropriate training
Invasive procedures as determined by the candidate’s experience (training will be provided where necessary).
The post is full time research and may attract special skills payments.
NB. This job description provides an outline summary of the duties of the post. Amendments may be necessary but will
be made in consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification:
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
 A degree in Medicine
 Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
 A high level of knowledge and experience in HIV and TB clinical practice, such that the Medical Officer could assess
complex cases with HIV and TB co-infection independently and discuss with consultants as appropriate.
Desirable
2



Advanced level of experience in Infectious Diseases clinical practice
Clinical research experience
Current accredited GCP certificate
SKILLS
Essential
 Phlebotomy
 Clinical experience management of HIV-TB infected patients
 Maintenance of accurate clinical records according to GCP standards
ATTITUDE
Essential
 Good working relationship within the research group and excellent rapport with patients.
 A desire to make progress in understanding diseases that are responsible for great morbidity and mortality deaths
amongst disadvantaged people of the world
 Maintenance of patient confidentiality
 To promote equity according to the University’s mission.
EXPERIENCE
Essential
 Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa
 Experience in management of HIV-TB infected patients
ORGANOGRAM
PRINCIPAL
INVESTIGATOR
SENIOR RESEARCH
MEDICAL OFFICER
STUDY
CO-ORDINATOR
RESEARCH MEDICAL
OFFICERS
SENIOR RESEARCH
NURSE
RESEARCH NURSES
STUDY
COUNSELLOR/S