The HIV Mental Health Research Unit (HIVMHRU) was established in 2014 in response to the growing recognition of the burden of mental health disorders in people living with HIV – including depression, anxiety, substance use and neurocognitive disorders.
The HIVMHRU conducts niche research in the field of neuroHIV and behavioural HIV in both adolescents and adults. Our guiding principle is to develop an evidence base to extend the provision of effective mental health services to persons living with HIV with a focus on South Africa and other resource-limited settings.
The HIV Mental Health Research Unit (HIVMHRU) is looking for applications from suitable candidates for a clinical research internship in 2023.
CLINICAL RESEARCH INTERNSHIP
We are looking to invite motivated students from diverse backgrounds into the HIVMHRU for a volunteer programme.
Students will gain exposure to research in the field of HIV and mental health in and around Cape Town.
STRUCTURE OF INTERNSHIP
There are two intakes of four interns per semester per year.
The first internship semester will be from January to June and the second semester will be from July to December.
There are eight positions available in total per year.
The internship entails 8 hours/week (20% position), split between two 4-hour days as allocated.
Responsibilities and learning opportunities
Half your time will be focused on Research Administration. This includes the following::
- Preparation of research materials (i.e., consent forms, intervention activities, workbooks etc.
- Transcriptions and translation of intervention sessions
- Assisting with the financial reconciliation of participant reimbursements
- Management of bio-marker specimens (viral load samples, dried blood spots etc.)
- Assist with participant retention and tracking
- Assist with content development for the HIVMHRU website and social media platforms
Half your time will be focused on Clinical Research activities. This includes the following:
- Conduct site visits to research offices located at primary care facilities in the Cape Town area
- Assisting with day-to-day activities at sites
- Participating in clinical supervision of interventionists and research staff
- Attending debriefing sessions with project directors and clinical psychologist
Details of internship
This internship is an unpaid position targeted at recently graduated students building their experience and exposure to mental health research and interventions.
During their internship, candidates will have access to short courses and research programmes in the HIVMHRU.
Upon completion of this internship, successful candidates will receive:
- A certificate of completion (for > 80% attendance)
- A letter of recommendation from the internship coordinator(s)
WHO CAN APPLY?
We invite applicants from diverse backgrounds.
Requirements
- Have a minimum NQF Level 8 qualification (Honours or four-year degree) in a health or social science-related field.
Advantages (but not required)
- Have an excellent command of two or three official languages of South Africa.
- Demonstrate excellent writing and communication skills.
- Are capable of working in a multicultural team environment.
- In addition to the application form, we will request short-listed candidates to attend a selection interview.
Please read and follow these instructions carefully.
Please complete the below application form.
- The application form must be completed in full and submitted with all required supporting documents as a single PDF file, with your surname and initial as the file name to Dr Stephan Rabie, stephan.rabie@uct.ac.za
Find the application form in the link below