Background:
The MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt) is an exceptional Health and Population Research Centre in the Wits School of Public Health
The Unit supports a major research infrastructure underpinned by a health and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS), covering a substantial portion of the Bushbuckridge sub-district of rural Mpumalanga Province, in operation since 1992, coupled with observational and interventional studies along the life course
The Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS) is a multi-partner Research and Policy Centre at Wits focused on understanding and addressing inequality in the global South, with a particular emphasis on research conceived in and for the global South
The Agincourt Unit and SCIS are co-leading Aspire Africa, a three-year research grant-funded programme
Aspire Africa is a multi-country study investigating youth economic inclusion and resilience across four Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) sites in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana
The programme combines secondary analysis of existing longitudinal HDSS data with new qualitative data collection, generating evidence to support policies and interventions that improve employment and economic outcomes for youth particularly young women and other vulnerable groups in rural and transitioning communities
The programme is implemented through a consortium of four leading African research institutions: the SAMRC/Wits-Agincourt Research Unit (South Africa), the Kaloleni Rabai HDSS at Aga Khan University (Kenya), the Dabat Research Centre at the University of Gondar (Ethiopia), and the Navrongo Health Research Centre with the Regional Institute for Population Studies (Ghana)
The successful candidate will join a talented and committed team addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing African youth and contributing to a growing body of evidence on poverty, inequality and resilience in sub-Saharan Africa
The successful candidate will enjoy unparalleled opportunities across all stages of the research process, including ethics and public engagement, field science, research data management, research-to-policy engagement, analysis, write-up and publication
The position will be based in either Bushbuckridge sub-district, Mpumalanga Province, where Wits offers various accommodation options, or the Wits School of Public Health in Johannesburg with travel to the SAMRC/Wits-Agincourt campus in Bushbuckridge
Wits - Agincourt
Wits - Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS)
To conduct high-impact, interdisciplinary research to the Aspire Africa Research Programme: a Tree Year, Four-Country study of youth economic inclusion and resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa
Bushbuckridge Sub-District, Mpumalanga Province, or the Wits School of Public Health in Johannesburg with travel to the SAMRC/Wits-Agincourt Research Unit in Buschbuckridge
Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of research group, Unit and contribute to its profile by participating in promotion activity
Participate in internal/external networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future research collaboration
Prepare research results for publication or presentation at conferences to include performing literature reviews and writing results and discussions
Contribute to publications, conferences and other academic activities
Keep up to date with developments in the field and attend relevant seminars
Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and other outputs, including as co-author
Lead the development of reports and produce manuscripts suitable for publication in high-quality journals
Assist in the preparation of proposals and reports
Prepare timely progress and final research draft reports for the project
Attend project meetings where required
Carry out any administrative work associated with the programme of research
Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities to develop own transferable skills, career and reputation
Develop new concepts and ideas to extend intellectual understanding
Contribute to knowledge generation, knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer activities
PhD Degree completed within the past 5 years
Background in relevant discipline(s), including Epidemiology, Statistics, Demography, Public Health, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences
Evidence of academic and scholarly potential (publications, conference presentation, grants)
English language proficiency, strong conceptual and writing skills
Experience in qualitative or quantitative research methods with a track-record of publication output.
Experience with mixed methods of research is an advantage
Demonstrated experience preparing donor progress reports and managing audit processes
Proven ability to work effectively across institutional and national boundaries
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
High levels of initiative, diplomacy, and capacity to manage competing priorities under pressure
Meticulous attention to detail and strong organisational capacity
Strong confidentiality and impeccable work ethic
Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above you may submit a detailed updated CV with at least 3 contactable referees (2 of which are academics)
A cover letter (maximum two pages) that clearly addresses:
Your research area and suitability for the fellowship
Any experience of multi-country or multi-site research
Your understanding of the research context youth economic inclusion, platforms, related areas and why this programme interests you
A concept note/research plan of maximum 4 pages (excluding references) on any of the following topics (using either qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods design):
Socio-economic and demographic trends and indicators among youth in four Sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa)
Predictors of youth economic inclusion and links with mental health and resilience in four Sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa)
Youth perceptions of resilience, employment and economic advancement in four Sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa)
Examples of written or published work.
Certified copies of Degree Certificates and academic transcripts.
Certified copy of ID, Permanent Residency, passport and/or visa (where applicable).
Certified copy of driver’s license
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Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
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: 30 October 2026
Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date.
Desired Skills:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Immediately
Medical
Healthcare
PhD
Epidemiology
Statistics