The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) invites applications for Research Fellowships in Health Research. This Career Development Programme is a partnership between the MRC and the tertiary education sector. The purpose of the Research Fellowship is to build research capacity and scientific leadership by creating new positions for senior post-doctoral scientists that have demonstrated a potential to become established researchers. Preference will be given to proposals that address the health research priorities in the country. The Research Fellow will be appointed for a period of 2 years with the option to be appointed for a further 2 years subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. Application Process Interested individuals must submit a full application to Lamees Emjedi at Research, grants & Finance, E52 Room 24 OMB, GSH by no later than the 08 September 2006 for internal processes. Please note that no late applications will be accepted. Applications must include a full research proposal, 3 referee’s reports, written commitment from the employing institution to provide the infrastructure, top-up salary and matching contribution towards the running expenses for the research project. Where the Fellow is to be appointed in an MRC in-house programme, the written commitment must be provided by the Unit or Group Director. Applications will be sent out for peer-review and the applicants will be informed of the outcome of the application by November 2006. Applicants may be subjected to an interview before a final decision is made. Eligibility Applicants must be South African Citizens or in possession of permanent residency, must be under the age of 45 years, should have a research doctorate and post-doctoral research experience and, must apply within 5 years of obtaining a research doctorate. Applicants that are not in possession of a research doctorate will only be considered if they have proven research experience equivalent to a senior post-doctoral research scientist. Preference will be given to applicants from the historically disadvantaged sector. Value of the Award Research Fellows will be appointed at the level of Senior Lecturer at a University or Specialist Scientist at the MRC. The MRC will contribute, R150 000 towards the Fellow’s salary and R50 000 for running expenses for the research project. The university will top-up the MRC salary contribution to that of a Senior Lecturer at the employing institution. Where the Research Fellow is appointed in an MRC in-house programme, the programme will be expected to top-up the MRC salary contribution to that of a Specialist Scientist, from contract funds. Conditions Where a Fellow is appointed at a University, the University must give a written commitment to provide the necessary infrastructure, salary contribution and a minimum of R50 000.00 for running expenses for the research project. Where a Fellow is appointed in an MRC in-house programme, the Unit or Group Director must provide written commitment to provide the necessary infrastructure, salary contribution and a minimum of R50 000.00 for running expenses for the research project. The Research Fellow must spend a minimum of 80% of his or her time undertaking full time research on the approved project. Successful applicants will be required to sign a contractual agreement with the MRC and the university. Any queries contact Lamees Emjedi on (021) 406 6338 e-mail: lemjedi@curie.uct.ac.za or Ms Marina Jenkins: e-mail: marina.jenkins@mrc.ac.za Tel No: (021) 938-0227 or Fax: (021) 938-0368.