Laboratory Technologist Non-profit Careers – Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/UVRI)

Organisation: Medical
Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/UVRI)
Funding Source: MRC (UK) and
U.S. PEPFAR
Duty Station: Entebbe,
Uganda
Position Code: CISPLT117
About MRC:
The Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute
(MRC/UVRI) based at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe is a
bilateral multi-disciplinary research organization funded by, the Medical
Research Council (UK) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in
Uganda under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and
other donor agencies. Established in 1988, the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on
AIDS is an internationally recognized center of excellence for research on HIV
infection and related diseases, contributing knowledge on the revolving
epidemic, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and
prevention, and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and
worldwide.
MRC/UVRI invites applications from suitably qualified Ugandans for the
following contractual post within the Co-Infection Studies Programme and in
collaboration with the Makerere University-UVRI Centre of Excellence for
Infection and Immunity Research and Training (MUII+) and with Professor Richard
Grencis at the University of Manchester, UK.
The Co-Infection Studies Programme, led by Professor Alison Elliott, is
interested in the effect of chronic infections (especially with worms or
malaria) on health outcomes (including responses to vaccines, and
susceptibility to infectious diseases and to non-communicable diseases, such as
asthma and diabetes). MUII+ supports translational training and research on
infection and immunity, linking laboratory and bioinformatics studies to
clinical and epidemiological research. This post is funded by the Royal
Society.
Job Summary: The Laboratory
Technologist will work on a study which is investigating the impact of helminth
infections and their treatment on metabolic outcomes, such as diabetes. For the
first seven to eight months, the successful candidate will work with the
research team in Uganda, processing samples that are being collected as part of
a clinical trial among island fishing villages. In September 2017 he/ she will
travel to Manchester to undertake the MSc in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics.
Subject to excellent performance and confirmation of funding, he/she will then
proceed to a PhD at Makerere University, with sandwich attachments in Professor
Grencis’s group at the University of Manchester. The project will use samples
from Uganda in studies of the impact of helminths and their treatment on
microbiome, gene expression and metabolome.
Key Duties and
Responsibilities:  
  • Participate in sample reception and
    processing, and molecular and immunological assays
  • Actively participate in documentation of
    laboratory aspects of research in keeping with good clinical laboratory
    research practice (GCLP)
  • Take part in the day-to-day laboratory
    organisation and maintenance
  • Work with supervisors to develop and
    execute project work at Masters and PhD level, contributing to study
    design, execution, writing up, publications and dissemination
Qualifications, Skills and
Experience: 
  • The ideal candidate should preferably hold
    a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area
  • GCP and GCLP certification
  • Preliminary training or experience in
    bioinformatics approaches and analysis is desirable
  • Previous experience of core molecular
    assays such as DNA/RNA extraction, quantification, PCR
  • Computer literacy skills i.e. proficiency
    in MS Office packages
NB: Individuals already holding
a relevant Master’s degree, but wishing to develop skills in Bioinformatics and
Systems Biology are encouraged to apply
How to Apply:
All candidates should send their applications letters, copies of
academic qualifications and curriculum vitae including names, telephone
contacts and email addresses of three (3) referees should be sent only via e
mail to: recruitment@mrcuganda.org. Please quote the position code in the
subject line of the email.
Deadline: 6th January 2017
                                    

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or
find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Related Jobs