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Job Title: Laboratory Technologist (2 Fresher Job Opportunities)

Organisation: Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Position Number: MUWRP/01/08/22

Reports to: Senior Laboratory Technologist

About US:

Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) is a non-profit biomedical research Organization, whose mission is to mitigate disease threats through quality research, healthcare and disease surveillance. MUWRP was established in 2002 by a Memorandum of Agreement between The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) and Makerere University (Mak) to undertake medical research to test HIV vaccines. Over the years, MUWRP’s portfolio has progressively expanded to include vaccine research for Ebola and Marburg viruses, surveillance of influenza and influenza- like viruses and other emerging infections in humans and animals; also epidemiological, basic and implementation research in HIV treatment, care and prevention programs in the Districts of Kayunga, Mukono, Buvuma and Buikwe.

Job Summary:  The incumbent will serve as laboratory technologist with MUWRP’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (EIDL), at the Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), and the Uganda Virus Research Institute (Entebbe). The incumbent’s primary responsibility will be to undertake specimen accessioning, storage, processing, and testing under specific projects, ensure QA/QC procedures are maintained, equipment monitoring, media preparation. The incumbent is expected to perform any other duties in accordance with the requirements of the study protocols, GCLP, GCP, Lab Safety and QA/QC requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Technical Duties

• Proficiently perform specimen accessioning, including registration of specimens into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), preparation of sample for both testing and storage
• Proficiently perform sample processing and sample testing using the various testing algorithms at EIDL as established by the SOPs for each assay.
• Proficiently perform QA/QC procedures, maintain and enforce all standard operating procedures as well as equipment maintenance and troubleshooting as may be required.
• Adhere to basic laboratory safety rules and equipment including identification of, precautions for, and emergency response to biological, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and physical hazards.
• Work independently and/or with others, collect and transport samples from various surveillance sites using proper sample handling protocols as may be required. Sample collection may involve going on water, climbing rocky areas, lifting, visiting marshy areas, markets, farms and other hazardous sites.
• Support management of supplies, including safe custody, tracking usage, and requests, and informing the supervisor ahead of time of supplies and logistics requirements for the Entebbe EIDP lab.
• Contribute to the development, periodic review, and updating of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all protocols, and ensure that they are followed by relevant personnel.
• Compile and submit weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports in their areas of work as required.
• Participate in in EIDP stock taking activities to ensure continuous availability of supplies for laboratory analysis.
• Identify and report all equipment breakdown and perform equipment troubleshooting and maintenance, as necessary to maximize equipment performance and availability.

Administrative duties

• Maintain confidentiality of study participants or patients’ results and all project operations and staff confidentiality at a management level.
• Assist the senior Lab technologist during budgeting and billing as may be needed.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the senior lab tech, lab manager and Program Manager.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• This position will require the incumbent to be knowledgeable in all laboratory activities as well as other program activities that pertain to the laboratory and its research and scientific development.
• Relevant biomedical science degree from a recognized University (e.g BBLT, BLS).
• Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP)
• HSP
• Technical experience; at least two years’ work in virus isolation, cell culture, and molecular biology techniques relevant to Virology research in a busy biomedical research environment
• Good interpersonal, organizational and communication skills are essential, as is excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Ability to communicate professionally in writing and verbally or other means deemed appropriate.
• The incumbent may from time to time be required to supervise and help other lab personnel lift some lab supplies to and from the lab to the required destination.
• Supervisory Controls:
• The incumbent will work under the supervision of the EIDP Senior Laboratory Technologist.

How to Apply:

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online by submitting an application letter, resume, copies of academic certificates in a 1 PDF or word document, including three referees (who are not relatives) and one of which should be your current supervisor. Indicate their day time telephone contacts and email addresses at the link below.

Click Here

NB: Any form of canvassing will lead to disqualification. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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