Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) Jobs

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Masters Research Trainee X2

Closing Date
2025/08/31
Reference Number
HSR250815-1
Job Type Fixed Term contract- long term
Job Title Masters Research Trainee
Business Area Public Health, Societies and Belonging – PHSB
Department PHSB
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location – Town / City Pretoria, Cape Town or Pietermaritzburg (Sweetwaters)
Location – Province Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF8 – Hons Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 31-Aug-2025
Job Category Education
Job Advert Summary
The Public Health, Societies and Belonging research division within the HSRC employs a multi-disciplinary group of social scientists and public health specialists who conduct numerous empirical and policy-related studies each year, three-quarters of which are donor-funded. The Public Health, Societies and Belonging division conducts transdisciplinary, intersectional, policy and programme-relevant research to improve health, well-being and promote a socially just and cohesive society.

PHSB has offices in Pretoria, Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg. The division seeks to appoint 1 Masters intern to join a dynamic team of researchers in the HSRC community. The incumbent will be based in one of the HSRC offices.

MASTERS RESEARCH TRAINEE

1 positions

Based in Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg (Sweetwaters) or Pretoria

Ref: M Int08/2025

The Masters Research Internship in the HSRC is meant to provide successful candidates with an opportunity to further develop their research expertise by working with subject experts and project specialists. The research internship experience is intensive and seeks mature individuals who can work independently and in a team. While appointees will be exposed to a wide variety of project-related research, they will be expected to complete their Masters degree within 2 years. Time is set aside for this purpose.

Minimum Requirements
Applicants must be in possession of a relevant Honours degree and be registered or about to register for a Masters degree in Public Health (MPH) with a recognised South African university;
A sound grounding in research methods will be a strong recommendation;
Requisite computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office,)
Working experience with some of the following data software packages: STATA, Epi Info, SPSS, Nvivo, AtlasTI or other relevant statistical packages;
Ability to work well under pressure and to meet deadlines.

Duties & Responsibilities
In addition to being registered for a Masters degree, at a recognized South African university and currently working on their degrees, or eligible for registration at a recognized South African university, research interns are required to participate in all aspects of the research process as they work with other staff on different research projects.

Among other duties, they will participate in the following activities under supervision:

Collection and analysis of data;
Management or supervision of research projects
Participation in the conceptualization and execution of research projects;
Participation in the formulation of research questions and writing proposals;
Assisting with the submission of research proposals for ethical review;
Writing up of research results, research reports and manuscripts for publication;
Presenting results of projects in different forums (webinars, conferences, seminars, and other forums);

SENIOR RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Closing Date
2025/08/22
Reference Number
HSR250804-1
Job Type Permanent
Job Title SENIOR RESEARCH DIRECTOR
Business Area Public Health, Societies and Belonging – PHSB
Department PHSB (CCBR)
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type On-site
Location – Town / City Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg
Location – Province KwaZulu-Natal
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 10 – PhD Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 22-Aug-2025
Job Category Education
Job Advert Summary
The Division of Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) is seeking to appoint a dynamic and visionary Senior Research Director to lead the Centre for Community-Based Research (CCBR) based at the HSRC Sweetwaters site in Pietermaritzburg. This leadership position will strengthen the CCBR’s contribution to the HSRC’s 2025-2030 priorities, with a focus on intersectional, community-engaged research across health, well-being, identity, and belonging. The successful candidate will be expected to drive a transdisciplinary, impact-driven research agenda aligned to the HSRC’s national and continental commitments, including the DSI Decadal Plan, Africa Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

SENIOR RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Office base: Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg

Reference: CCBR SRD

Minimum Requirements
A PhD in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy, or a relevant field in the social sciences or humanities.
At least 10 years of senior-level research experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role managing community-based or large-scale implementation science projects.
A strong track record in academic publishing, including first- or sole-authored outputs and international publications.
Demonstrable success in leading multi-disciplinary teams and securing competitive research grants.
Expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies.
Proven ability to build strategic networks, influence public policy, and contribute to research for social justice and sustainable development.
Excellent communication skills and experience in mentoring and developing diverse research teams.
Fluency in English and at least one other African language is highly desirable.
Preferred Experience:

Experience in the implementation of inclusive, gender-responsive, or youth-focused community-based research.
Previous leadership in multi-partner, transdisciplinary research collaborations addressing health and societal challenges in the Global South.
Duties & Responsibilities
Provide scientific and policy research leadership in health, education, skills, social development and cohesion, guided by communities’ focus and a better Africa and the world, as aligned with the HSRC Strategic Plan 2025-2030.
Lead the design and implementation of multi-year, community-based research programmes that integrate behavioural, biomedical, and implementation science.
Develop strategic research proposals and secure long-term funding to sustain and grow the CCBR’s research footprint.
Promote ethical research excellence, innovation, and measurable impact through high-quality outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and stakeholder engagement platforms.
Foster inclusive research leadership, mentoring emerging scholars, and strengthening institutional research capabilities.
Translate research into practice by ensuring evidence uptake through policy engagement, community dialogues, and knowledge dissemination.
Identify key research areas guided by communities’ focus within the framework of education, skills and health; social cohesion, safe communities; and a better Africa and a better world;
Work closely with the Centre senior researchers, providing leadership and support in the development of targeted research proposals and securing funding on a sustainable basis to enable policy-relevant, strategic research projects within the mandate of the CCBR and PHSB;
Build a multi-disciplinary team-based approach incorporating behavioural, biomedical and implementation science aspects to implement and manage high-quality, large-scale, long-term research studies with a focus on social impact;
Deliver high-quality results and reports within budget and deadline;
Produce high-quality knowledge outputs through publishing in accredited refereed journals, books, and book chapters and with collaborators at an institutional, regional and international level;
Provide leadership in identifying critical stakeholders for civil society engagement and development of communities of practice to ensure uptake of evidence.
Ensure research impact through government and stakeholder engagement, policy briefs and research reviews;
Contribute towards the creation of research quality standards that align with the strategic objectives of the HSRC;
Take the lead in continuous innovation in research practices and methodologies.

Masters Researcher Trainee

Closing Date
2025/08/22
Reference Number
HSR250721-1
Job Type Fixed Term contract- long term
Job Title Masters Researcher Trainee
Business Area Equitable Education and Economics – EEE
Department EEE
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location – Town / City Pretoria, Cape Town or Sweetwaters
Location – Province KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF8 – Hons Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 22-Aug-2025
Job Category Other
Job Advert Summary
In delivering ‘social science that makes a difference’ the Research Divisions, Units, Institutes and Centres of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) undertake policy-oriented research from its offices in Pretoria, Cape Town, and Sweetwaters. Our public purpose mandate is set out in the Human Sciences Research Council Act of 2008.

Equitable Education and Economies (EEE) is a research division of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) that undertakes research to transform educational outcomes and increase economic participation. It recognises that education and the economy are intrinsically linked, and thus EEE conducts research in both areas, sometimes discretely, many times overlapping, and using a multidisciplinary lens to investigate the gains and growth South Africa needs.

EEE has a large and vibrant research programme with over 30 experienced and emerging researchers working on methodologically rigorous and transformative research. We do so with a focus on understanding transformation and innovation in a spatialised economy that includes access to land and food security, and researching the future of education, work and skills needed to ensure young people gain relevant skills to equip them for successful transitions into sustainable, meaningful and socially just forms of livelihoods.

EEE is currently looking to appoint one Masters Researcher Trainee to work in either the fields of education or economics, on a fixed-term two-year contract. This Traineeship can be based in any of the HSRC offices, namely Pretoria, Cape Town or Sweetwaters.

Masters Researcher Trainee (1 Position)

Ref. No: MT EEE 07/2025

Minimum Requirements
Applicants for the Masters Researcher Traineeship must have graduated with an Honours degree and be registered (proof of registration will be required within 6 months of assuming duty) for a Master’s degree in the Social Sciences (particularly in areas such as Economics, Statistics and Development Studies);
Strong written and verbal communication skills;
Willingness to participate in conferences/ present research findings;
Sound knowledge of data management, intermediate level qualitative and quantitative analysis skills;
Competence in basic computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Competence in data analysis software (e.g. SPSS, Atlas.ti) will be an advantage;
A sound academic record;
Willingness to learn through hands on engagement in a variety of research projects;
Intellectual and personal integrity, a well-developed work ethic, and drive;
Self-discipline and the ability to manage both the demands of the job and ensure that university studies are timeously completed;
Curiosity, enthusiasm and interest in a research career; and
Applicants must be South African citizens.
Duties & Responsibilities
Work with a professional research team on all aspects of policy-oriented research, including conceptualisation, operationalisation, data collection and analysis, and participation in the dissemination of findings;
Assist with the preparation of research ethics submissions;
Conduct and organise literature reviews and other secondary data searches;
Undertake qualitative and quantitative data collection;
Assist with conducting descriptive and inferential analysis of quantitative data under supervision;
Develop project management skills in the research environment;
Contribute to the preparation of peer reviewed academic journal articles, research reports, study protocols, presentations, manuscripts and research grant proposals;
Participate in structured research trainee mentoring and capacity development activities; and
Make demonstrable progress towards the achievement of a Master’s degree
The HSRC offers a fixed salary at this level that allows time for completion of studies.

Applications should include:

A cover letter of motivation indicating your suitability and goals for the position.
A detailed CV which should clearly indicate your highest qualification; an indication of your quantitative and qualitative research experience; your fieldwork experience (not related to your degree) and include details of your citizenship.
The details of three recent referees with telephone/cell number, e-mail, and institutional affiliation.
Proof of Registration for Masters Studies.
A one-page outline of your envisaged Master’s thesis.
The HSRC will only consider applications that comply with the above requirements.

Please note that applicants may be required to complete a written test pertaining to this position.

Please register and submit your application on-line at https://hsrc.erecruit.co/candidateapp

Application Instructions:

Candidates can make use of their mobile devices or any browser to register on the Neptune recruitment site, as well as to make application for available vacancies;
Candidates will be prompted to upload their documents;
Attachments must be less than 1MB, there is an on-screen option to resize;
The Neptune system will only allow you to upload 1 attachment. Please ensure that all documents are merged into 1 file before uploading.
Enquiries about the nature of the position, and NOT applications, may be directed to Maria Ngema at email address mngema@hsrc.ac.za

For further information about the HSRC or the post, please consult our website www.hsrc.ac.za.

The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of its staff complement who are SA Citizens, black, female or disabled.

Closing date: Friday, 22 August 2025. We encourage applicants to submit prior to this date. Applicants who have not been contacted within eight weeks should assume that their application has been unsuccessful. Only applicants who are interviewed will be advised of the outcome of their applications.

The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.

APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications