WITS Doctoral studies and Postdoctoral Fellowships

• There is an exciting new opportunity for a doctoral post to undertake cross-disciplinary research that is nested in the partnership between Ophthalmology, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, the Division of Human Genetics and the multi-disciplinary Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in South Africa. Project entitled ““Differentially expressed genes in exfoliation syndrome, exfoliation glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma in black South Africans.”

Minimum requirements:

• A Master’s degree obtained within the last 5 years.
• Previous research experience in bioinformatics/genomics techniques, biostatistics, mathematics, as well as an ability to work with large data sets, would be an advantage.

Doctoral support is for three years with renewal for the second/third year subject to performance and progress.

For further information contact: [email protected]   or [email protected]

Application Deadline: 31 January 2017

Exploring the impact of African genomic variation and environmental factors on health

• The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) at the University of the Witwatersrand is offering and opportunity for Doctoral students and Postdoctoral Fellow for the following research area: Exploring the impact of African genomic variation and environmental factors on health .

Minimum requirements:

• An appropriate degree (Masters for Doctoral Bursary; PhD for Postdoc) obtained within the last 5 years.
• Previous research experience in bioinformatics/genomics techniques, biostatistics, mathematics, as well as an ability to work with large data sets is necessary for appointment at the Postdoc level, and advantageous for appointment at the Doctoral level.

Doctoral support is provided for three years. The Postdoctoral Fellowship is awarded provisionally for a total of two or three years, with annual renewal subject to performance and progress.

For further information contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Application Deadline: 31 January 2017

3 Doctoral Studies for Bioscience and Cancer Research

• The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), the National Cancer Registry (NHLS) and the Department of Haematology and Molecular Medicine University of the Witwatersrand have opportunities for doctoral students and postdoctoral fellowships in the field of Cancer research in African populations. Large research programs are being established, supported by the Newton Fund (UK) and the South African Medical Research Council (MRC). We are pleased to announce the availability of bursaries for Doctoral students and Postdoctoral fellows for the following research projects:
• Project 1: Analysis of environmental and lifestyle risk factors for common African cancers.
• Project 2: Genome-wide association studies to identify genetic variants associated with cancer susceptibility.
• Project 3: Whole genome, exome and RNA sequencing of tumour tissues to identify driver genes and mutational signatures in oesophageal cancer.

Minimum requirements:

• An appropriate degree (Masters for Doctoral Bursary; PhD for Postdoc) obtained within the last 5 years. Previous research experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, bioinformatics and genomic technology, as well as an ability to work with large data sets, would be an advantage.
• Doctoral support is for three years.

The Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded provisionally for two or three years, with renewal for the second/third year subject to performance and progress of submitted journal publications.

“Candidates interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in epidemiology, biostatistics or genetics are welcome to apply”. 

For further information you may contact the Principal Investigators:

Dr Elvira Singh: [email protected] (project 1);

Professor Christopher Mathew: [email protected] (projects 2 & 3); and

Dr Pascale Willem: [email protected] (project 3)