About Us
The SAMRC was established in 1969 and is dedicated to improving the health of people in South Africa, through research, innovation, capacity development and technology transfer. Our work is to acquire evidence-based information to inform health policy and practice and improve the quality and health status of people in South Africa.
We are the largest local funder of health research, medical diagnostics, medical devices, and therapeutics. We are pioneers in cutting-edge medical innovations focusing on genomic research, the development of novel treatment regimens, vaccine development, diagnostic tools, and developing new drugs and devices. As a custodian of health research, the SAMRC is building a healthy nation through research and innovation.
Transformation remains an integral part of building sustainable health research capacity in South Africa. As such, the SAMRC continues to address gender, racial, institutional, and geographic parity, towards strengthening our capacity to flourish in the 21st century.
Our People
The SAMRC is driven by a dynamic and diverse team of scientists, clinicians, and public health experts committed to advancing health equity and scientific excellence across South Africa and beyond. Under the leadership of Professor Ntobeko Ntusi—an esteemed cardiologist and academic—the organisation continues to pioneer transformative research in areas such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases, and maternal and child health.
The Council's strength lies in its people. The SAMRC thrives not only because of its world-class researchers but also due to its dedicated professional support staff who ensure the organisation's seamless operations to ‘make science possible’. These professionals across Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance and Project management, Supply Chain, Corporate and Marketing services, and Facilities Management form the backbone of the Council, enabling scientific excellence through robust administrative and operational support.
Together, these dedicated support teams ensure that the SAMRC operates efficiently and effectively, underpinning its mission to advance health research and improve the quality of life for all South Africans.
Our Values
We push the boundaries between the known and the unknown to further our knowledge of human health within the prescripts of responsible (ethical) conduct of research
Why join the SAMRC?
Shape Science, change Lives, and grow with us through:
STATE-OF-THE-ART LABORATORIES to conduct cutting-edge research
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED RESEARCHERS across the respective scientific disciplines.
SOUND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE provides assurance that funds are well managed and directed to the required research.
AWARDED CONSECUTIVE CLEAN AUDITS by the Auditor General of South Africa.
INDEPENDENT ORGANISATION WITH STRONG RELATIONS with SA Universities and other research organisations to foster collaborations.
TRUSTED ABILITY TO LEAD AND MANAGE COMPLEX MULTINATIONAL PROJECTS with numerous international partners across multiple currencies and risk profiles.
COLLABORATES WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO:
- Invest in the development of new knowledge through innovation and technology.
- Develop capacity of young black scientists from Historically Disadvantaged Institutions.
- Establish in-house funding hub aimed at promoting self-initiated research.
STAFF CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT through study support programme offered to employees to further their studies.
CONDUCT REAL AND RELEVANT RESEARCH as our research is used to inform health policy and practice and improve the quality and health status of people in South Africa.
