Research Clinician – Clinical Trials (HIV & Infectious Diseases)

About the role

The South African Medical Research Council’s HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research Unit (HIDRU) in Durban is seeking a Research Clinician to support phase I‑IV clinical trials focused on HIV, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections and COVID‑19. The role combines direct patient care, safety monitoring and clinical data management, offering a pathway to a research‑focused career.

Key responsibilities

• Perform clinical assessments, specimen collection, and review laboratory results for trial participants.
• Oversee participant safety, determine eligibility, and administer study products.
• Conduct interviews, administer questionnaires, and manage follow‑up visits.
• Identify, document and report adverse events (AEs, EAEs, SAEs) in line with protocol and regulatory requirements.
• Complete all study documentation according to SOPs and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.
• Conduct regular quality checks on clinical data and generate required reports.
• Provide backup across multiple research sites and work occasional after‑hours or weekend shifts.
• Train junior clinicians and nurses, and contribute to unit publications and new research ideas.

Required profile

• MBChB degree with completed internship and community service.
• Current HPCSA registration.
• Clinical experience in infectious diseases, medical emergencies or primary health care.
• Strong interest in clinical research and willingness to rotate across sites.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Required skills

• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) compliance.
• Familiarity with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for clinical trials.
• Adverse event identification and reporting.
• Clinical documentation and data quality assurance.

What we offer

• Two‑year fixed‑term contract with salary negotiated based on qualifications and experience.
• Opportunities to pursue higher degrees (MSc or PhD) with institutional support.
• Structured career progression within a leading HIV research unit.
• Training in advanced clinical trial methodologies and mentorship from senior investigators.