Junior Research Fellow Research Software Engineer (2024)

Department: Faculty of Science

(Research Software Engineer) (Contract)

Modelling and Simulation Hub, Africa (MASHA)

Department of Statistical Sciences

The Modelling and Simulation Hub, Africa (MASHA www.masha.uct.ac.za ) in the Department of Statistical Sciences invites applications to fill one post as a full time Junior Research Fellow: Research Software Engineer (Assistant Lecturer level) on a 25 month contract starting as soon as possible. MASHA’s research focus is the development and application of mathematical modelling and computer simulation to predict the dynamics and control of infectious diseases to evaluate the impact of policies aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality. Based in the Faculty of Science, MASHA’s research is closely integrated with other disciplines resulting in policy-driven and impactful scientific research.

We are looking for a motivated Research Software Engineer from Southern Africa for the position of Junior Research Fellow, to support the development of digital tools which assist modellers in addressing climate sensitive infectious disease (CSID) modelling in Southern Africa. One specific project will be the Wellcome funded Health:RADAR project that involves the development, testing and maintenance of a digital tool which supports CSID modelling by collating and displaying data relevant to malaria elimination in Southern Africa as a start, and extended to other health concerns. A key output of this work is workshopping the tool and growing a community of practice in the Southern African region. This will additionally require training materials to be developed and delivered by the successful candidate.

Requirements for the job:

• A BSc or equivalent degree relevant in computer science, statistics, or related subject
• At least 1 year work experience in the relevant field
• Advanced R competency (tidyverse, RShiny and Quarto)
• Portfolio of web applications developed using reactive programming (eg R Shiny), demonstrating that the user-centered applications communicate integrated science research and results derived from a team project
• Evidence of conducting application sensitization to consumers, for example through facilitation of workshops
• Conducted/supported training on web application development
• Evidence of exposure to mathematical modelling of disease through for example, training in modelling or developing apps with disease modellers
• Proficient with Git including Fork/PR model of open source development
• Experience in developing educational materials, e.g. a user manual or a code tutorial
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment
• Well-developed and professional interpersonal and communication skills
• Effective time-management skills and the ability to organize, prioritize and multi-task
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Advantageous:

• Formal training in development of disease models
• Experience with package development in R
• Web technologies such as SCSS and Javascript
• Basic graphic design skills, e.g. making a favicon or creating/modifying logos in GIMP
• Proficiency in Python, Powershell and bash
• Exposure to health economics for policy
• Exposure to climate science and climate data
• Proficiency in languages spoken in Southern Africa

Responsibilities:

• To work with the Health:RADAR team and as well as the growing CSID community to develop digital tools such as RShiny applications, Quarto websites and R packages that enable access to, and manipulation of, existing datasets
• To assist with training users on the digital tools
• To manage open-source projects on Github
• Manuscript and report writing
• Be part of research projects from the design phase to the paper writing phase

The annual cost of employment, including benefits (where applicable), is R550,000.

Please click the "apply" button to create a candidate profile and submit your application

Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• Portfolio of web applications in relation to the requirements of the job
• Cover letter describing experience in relation to the requirements of the job
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Names and contact details of three referees.

Please ensure that the CV contains sufficient detail to demonstrate competence in each job requirement.

Given the research study area, preference will be given to a national citizen of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may be required to undergo a competency test.

Any enquiries around the application process to be addressed toMs Natasha Khan atrecruitment06@uct.ac.zaor021650 3469

Website: www.masha.uct.ac.za Closing date: 7 June 2024