Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

AHRI is always looking for talented and motivated staff to join our multidisciplinary team. We offer a highly diverse, professional and supportive environment with opportunities for development and growth.

Description:

Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) seeks to appoint a postdoctoral research fellow (PDRF) with a strong background in health economics. The incumbent will work with an interdisciplinary research team focused on advancing HIV prevention and care strategies through innovative mathematical modelling approaches which seek to integrate the status-neutral approach with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, leveraging data from implementation studies and population-based health data from AHRI’s population-based HIV cohort in northern KwaZulu-Natal to inform public health policy and the design of future intervention programmes.

Overview of Duties:

South Africa has the world’s largest HIV epidemic, with 8.5 million people living with the virus. Despite free HIV testing, the largest public-sector antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme, and various prevention strategies - including condoms, male circumcision, and PrEP - the country remains far from achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 of epidemic control. Adolescents and young adults (AYA) aged 15 to 30 are at particularly high risk, accounting for 37% of new infections in 2023 despite making up only 16% of the population. Many remain undiagnosed and untreated, exacerbating transmission. The 2023 to 2028 South African HIV National Strategic Plan seeks to address these challenges through multi-sectoral, equitable, and community-centred interventions. A key focus is transitioning to a status-neutral HIV service model, integrating prevention and treatment to ensure equal access regardless of HIV status. While this approach has reduced incidence in high-income settings, its feasibility and cost-effectiveness in lower-income contexts remain unclear. Our main aim is to evaluate the financial sustainability, resource allocation, and broader economic implications of status-neutral HIV care integrated with SRH services by integrating health economics and mathematical modelling. Our analysis will quantify costs, return on investment, and economic trade-offs to guide evidence-based policymaking and strategic funding decisions for sustainable HIV epidemic control in South Africa and similar settings.

Minimum Qualifications

A PhD in health economics, health policy, economics, or a related quantitative field, obtained within the past two years.

Minimum Experience

Demonstrated experience in conducting economic evaluations of health interventions, preferably related to HIV or other infectious diseases.

Familiarity with mathematical modelling, decision-analytic modelling, or simulation approaches.

Proficiency in statistical and economic analysis software (e.g., R, Stata, Python) and strong analytical skills.

Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Established track record of publications in high-impact, peer reviewed journals.

Established track record of writing research grants.

How to apply

Please complete an application form by clicking on the apply button above. You are expected to attach a cover letter, 1–2-page CV and academic records.

The salary for this position depends on previous experience and follows AHRI’s official scheme and NRF grades and will be exempt from tax deductions due to the tax-exempt status for postdoctoral fellows.

Should you have any enquiries about the position, please email with the subject line: ‘Edinah Mudimu _Health Economics PDRF’

Worker Type: Contingent Worker

Skills:

The application closing date:8 May 2025

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.

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.

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