Research Associate

Description:

The research associate will play a central role in the scientific and operational delivery of a large cohort study and associated research programme focused on adolescent mental health.

Working closely with the principal investigator and wider research team, the postholder will provide academic, technical, and project management leadership to ensure the successful implementation of the study and the production of high-quality scientific outputs.

The role combines research leadership with programme coordination. The research associate will contribute to the development and refinement of research questions, oversee the implementation of data collection and cohort management, and lead or support quantitative analyses of large datasets.

The research associate will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary partners, including researchers, practitioners, and policy stakeholders, to ensure that the research is methodologically rigorous and policy relevant.

This role offers an opportunity for an early-career academic to develop an independent research profile while contributing to a major programme advancing understanding of adolescent mental health.

Overview of Duties:

The research associate will lead key scientific aspects of the cohort study, coordinate day-to-day programme delivery, conduct and oversee quantitative data analyses, prepare peer reviewed publications and academic outputs, supervise junior researchers, and engage with multidisciplinary collaborators and policy stakeholders

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Requirements of the job

Minimum qualifications

1. A PhD in a relevant field such as psychology, psychiatry, public health, epidemiology, global health, or a related social or health science discipline

2. Evidence of academic productivity, such as peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or contributions to grant-funded research

Minimum experience

1. Three to five years postdoctoral experience

2. Demonstrated experience contributing to large-scale research projects, preferably involving cohort studies, population-based surveys, or longitudinal research

3. Experience in project coordination or management within complex, multi-partner research programmes

4. Experience in mental health research, ideally with a focus on adolescents or young people

Skills required

1. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing academic manuscripts, policy briefs, or technical reports

2. Strong quantitative research skills, including proficiency in statistical analysis of large datasets using R, Stata, Python, or equivalent software

3. Ability to provide scientific and technical leadership, including coordinating analytic activities and contributing to the development of research outputs

4. Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and collaborating across institutions or sectors

5. Ability to manage complex project timelines, deliverables, and reporting requirements across multiple partners and funders

Worker Type:

Employee

The application closing date:

2 Apr 2026

AHRI is a values-driven organisation. As an employer we are committed to staff engagement and development. Our culture is one of high performance and partnership.

Our values
The successful candidate will be expected to live by AHRI’s values, including collaboration, ubuntu, leadership, innovation, transformation, and excellence.
 
 
Employment equity
AHRI is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment equity. This position is primarily open to South African or other African applicants, with a valid work permit desirable. AHRI reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date to facilitate further searches. Furthermore, AHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.