Division: Wastewater Genomics

Main purpose of the job: To provide epidemiological expertise in data management, research and epidemiological analysis

Location: NICD, Sandringham

Key performance areas

- Oversee data management for routine wastewater testing using RedCap and R/Rstudio
- Chair weekly data quality meetings
- Conduct a baseline, then weekly assessments of data quality in the wastewater and environmental surveillance RedCap database
- Work with the Laboratory team to identify, correct data inaccuracies, and gaps in data
- In collaboration with Sample Collectors, Laboratory Technicians and Scientists, co-ordinate streamlining of data management procedures to ensure ongoing data quality
- Apply existing and new R-scripts to report on data process indicators in a weekly data quality report
- Co-operate with all CVI and WGS team members to achieve a collegial and supportive team environment for high-quality data management
- Epidemiological analysis and reporting
- Generate analysis using existing and newly developed R-scripts to describe trends in detection and quantification of diseases under wastewater and clinical surveillance by NICD/CVI (including but not limited to measles, rubella, HAV, HEV, influenza, Mpox, tuberculosis)
- Create narrative and graphical reports in power point slides, or in other software using the above analyses for publication on dashboards or the NICD and other websites
- Provide ad hoc reports for Public Health Officials as required by surveillance findings
- Supervise a Surveillance Officer, provide technical insights, management and provide other day-to-day epidemiological support




- Present wastewater and CVI clinical reports at the NICD weekly epidemiological meeting
- Provide support for wastewater dashboard development by using existing R-scripts and develop new R-scripts for NICD/CVI pathogens (including but not limited to measles, rubella, HAV, HEV, influenza, Mpox, tuberculosis)
- Co-operate professionally with all CVI, WGS team members and other NICD staff to achieve these objectives
- Communicate WGS outputs by reporting on findings at internal NICD and external platforms, (including academic meetings, technical working groups, conferences and international meetings) to appropriate Stakeholders including academia, public health authorities, local, provincial and national government and international interest groups
- Together with NICD/WGS and international Collaborators, to conduct analyses, literature reviews and write manuscripts for the publication of findings in peer-reviewed literature
- Conduct training on epidemiological aspects of wastewater and environmental surveillance, including clinical surveillance to attendees at training courses, online seminars and other events as required

Research

- Develop research protocols, submit ethics applications, implement or oversee implementation
- Collect and manage data,



conduct analysis and write reports pertaining to Investigator-led experiments to support the wastewater and environmental surveillance data-to-policy agenda (1 day/week)
- Collaborate with CVI, WGS, other NICD staff and international Collaborators in support the above activities

Required minimum education and training

- Master of Science in Epidemiology or Biostatistics

Required minimum work experience

- Minimum 1 years relevant experience in a research environment

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities

- MPH/MSc in field Epidemiology or MSc in Biostatistics
- Training in RedCap (Basic)
- Training in R/R studio (Medium to advanced)
- Demonstrate effective self-management by taking ownership for driving own career development
- Ability to take ownership and accountability for tasks & activities
- Robust conflict resolution skills
- Must be able to work in a team
- Must be able to maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback

Additional Job Information

- 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: 04 September 2026
- No CV will be accepted after the closing date
- 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
- Wits Health Consortium

📌 Epidemiologist (8 Month Fixed Term Contract - Wits Health Consortium - Wastewater Genomics) (Sandringham)
🏢 AJ Personnel
📍 Sandringham