Epidemiologist Wits Health Consortium - Wastewater Genomics

Position: Epidemiologist (8 Month Fixed Term Contract - Wits Health Consortium - Wastewater Genomics)
Location: Northeast Newfoundland (Lewisporte)

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 Red Cap and R/Rstudio
Chair weekly data quality meetings
Conduct a baseline, then weekly assessments of data quality in the wastewater and environmental surveillance Red Cap 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 Red Cap (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
Strong 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

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