Senior Biostatistician (HIV Vaccine Programmes)

About the role

The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) is looking for a Senior Biostatistician for a one-year fixed-term contract at its headquarters in Cape Town. The role provides bio-statistical support to the HIV vaccine and data science programmes, supporting HIV vaccine trial protocol development and preparing a statistical analysis plan. It also joins an experienced data systems team to contribute to programmatic data analyses on the rollout of HIV prevention methods in South Africa. The term may be extended depending on available funding.

Key responsibilities

• Provide expertise in study design, evaluation of study protocols, management of large datasets, questionnaires, survey methods and statistical analysis.
• Work with study leads and senior researchers during grant development to ensure appropriate study design and statistical methodology.
• Help develop data plans during project implementation and consult with site data managers on database development.
• Monitor datasets for consistency, completeness and appropriateness of the database.
• Transform, merge and reshape data into clean, analysis-ready datasets for clinical trials and biostatistical modelling.
• Carry out biostatistical and analytical modelling as required, and support data presentations for Data Safety and Monitoring Board reviews.
• Develop additional data science skills and build research collaborations within and outside DTHF.

Required profile

• Masters in Biostatistics or Statistics; 3-5 years of biostatistical experience after the degree.
• 3-5 years managing large datasets and calibrating data with statistical modelling.
• At least 2 years analysing data from clinical trial studies.
• Proven record of disseminating research results as a study biostatistician (peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference abstracts).
• Experience in public health settings, good communication skills and comfort with high-level stakeholders.
• Willingness to live in Cape Town and work mainly office-based.

Required skills

• Statistical software such as STATA, SAS, R-studio or Python.
• Independent data analysis projects run to completion.
• Advantageous: PhD or ongoing PhD, HIV vaccine trial experience, Wellcome Trust/Gates/NIH/EDCTP/SAMRC funded study experience, emulated target trial designs, PowerBI, GCP certification, POPI Act knowledge, project management skills and team leadership.

Candidates must submit a detailed cover letter, an updated CV with a certified copy of their highest qualification and three current referees by 30 October 2026; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.