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Job Title:  Senior Laboratory Technologist

Organisation: Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI)

Duty Station:  Entebbe, Uganda

Reports to: Senior Research Officer

About Organisation:

The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) is a medical research institute owned by the Uganda government that carries out research on communicable diseases in man and animals, with emphasis on viral transmitted infections.

Job Summary:   At Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), we aim to conduct health research of national importance with a regional and global reach. We do this through government funded projects and collaborative projects with international funding such as WORMVACS2.0. WORMVACS2.0 is a Horizon Europe funded international collaborative project to develop pipelines for helminth vaccine development. The project now seeks an enthusiastic and experienced individual to fill the position of Senior Laboratory Technologist. The job holder will contribute to the WORMVACS2.0 project at UVRI by primarily performing laboratory assays, analysing resulting biological data (data from other sources), and reporting the findings.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designing, optimizing and validating flow cytometry panels
• Processing, staining and acquiring stained samples through the flow cytometer following standard operating procedures.
• Analysing data from flow cytometry using FlowJo, GraphPad Prism. R, Bioconductor and other dimensional reduction algorithms including ESNE. ROWSOM. SPADE. UMAP.
• Conducting and analysing outputs of microarrays. Luminex assays and other immunological techniques
• processing and storing study samples according to SOPs to maximise their quality in subsequent testing.
• Monitoring study sample storage conditions including temperature.
• Implementing GCLP practices: Cleaning and disinfecting equipment: Tracking equipment servicing requirements: Monitoring temperatures and liquid nitrogen levels: Data backup: Running equipment performance QCs.
• Ensuring that required reagents and supplies are in sufficient stocks and are kept securely in recommended conditions.
• Performing IATA compliant shipment of samples to and from partner laboratories.
• Ensuring health and safety as per SOPs by conducting safety induction of new staff/students. refilling first aid boxes. administering first aid, updating materials data safety sheets.
• Performing scientific duties by assisting in setting up and cleaning of databases. writing reports regarding assays and experiments; using computers to perform mathematical calculations and for the preparation of graphs; presentation of findings at local, national and international workshops/conferences.
• Writing and reviewing of operational and study specific SOPs.

People Management Responsibilities:

• Supervision of project laboratory technologists and students undertaking projects attachment/placement in the laboratory

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Essential:

• A master’s in immunology and clinical microbiology (with bioinformatics experience): or systems immunology or computational biology or
• bioinformatics (with substantial immunology research experience); or Data Science (majoring in Biomedical science)
• BSc Biomedical Laboratory Technology. Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, Biochemistry (or equivalent)
• Desirable: Programming (R or Python), GCLP, GCP and PHRP training
• Previous work experience required:

Essential:

• One to two years practical experience utilizing flow cytometry or Luminex or microarrays, and analysing immunology or biological data within a laboratory environment, and experience with programming R

Desirable:

• Previous graduate project experience working with an experienced biomedical data scientist/researcher

Technical knowledge or skills:

Essential:

• Ability to learn and conduct assays/procedures required (Flow cytometry, Microarray. Luminex), according to study protocols
• Ability to analyse big data using data science and computational tools
• Provision of high-quality training and supervision to staff and students
• Independent assay development & troubleshooting of new procedures
• Technical expertise and leadership

Desirable:

• Database management software including R and python
• Relevant laboratory research techniques like DNA Extraction. PCR, ELISA, ELISPOT among others
• Communication skill

How to Apply:

All candidates are encouraged to send in a single PDF file, their application letters. curriculum vitae with names, email addresses and telephone contact details of two (2) professional referees. and copies of academic certificates named as; Surname_ Senior Laboratory Technologist or Surname_ Laboratory Technologist), via E-mail to: megesa@uvri.go.ug and copy to mkatusabe@uvri.go.ug Failure to meet these guidelines will result in automatic elimination. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: 5th August 2024 at 11.59pm

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