FAQs

H3D employees are employed under UCT’s conditions of employment although, as H3D employees, they are not typical academic appointments. H3D scientists are expected to perform similar duties as scientists would in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. By being integrated into the UCT academic environment, our staff members are able to get involved in academic research as well as the supervision of students H3D is a positive force for innovation in the academic environment and aims to incorporate the best of both worlds in its operational models.

Professor Kelly Chibale is the Founder and Director of the H3D Centre, but is a full-time academic and full professor at UCT. He has a sizeable research group whose main focus is drug discovery research. The Chibale Research Group co-exists with H3D but is a separate group. However, research and training of students follows the same principles as that of H3D. This provides a potential source of projects for H3D as well as employment-ready students that can support H3D’s mission, all the while fulfilling the academic mandate. This partnership between innovative drug discovery and academic training and research is a core reason for the growing success and profile of H3D.

H3D is funded from both South African and international sources, primarily through grants. Funders include government funding agencies, philanthropic organisations, global product development partnerships and private companies. Diverse sources of income allow for a more secure work environment for staff and a steady and excellent coterie of skilled team members that can deliver on project milestones.