Senior Laboratory Technologist job at MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit

Background information about the job or company

The Unit is an internationally recognised centre of excellence with dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research, social-behavioural research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council (MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts. The Unit is now seeking enthusiastic and experienced individuals to fill the following position:

Responsibilities or duties

Job Purpose:

The position holder will supervise and perform laboratory tests, review and report results of the laboratory procedures performed according to SOPs. Participate in, Interpretation & implement study analytical plans for new studies, promote GCLP compliance, sample management, involvement in training, promote health and safety, document management and report writing and be responsible for laboratory equipment and maintenance.

Roles & Responsibilities

1. Principal duties;

• Supervise, evaluate and validate assay development in the laboratories;
• Contribute to the development of laboratory analytical plans and standard operating procedures;
• Assisting in capacity building by demonstrating practical procedures to new staff and student attachments;
• Ensure equipment maintenance is done per the prepared and approved schedule;
• Compliance with the different laboratory standards such as ISO 15189, GCLP, HSP, GCP, and GDPR;
• Presentation of scientific data to peers and or broader group during meetings, conferences, journal clubs, and continuous medical education;
• Review of results outcomes before submission for approval to the senior staff;
• Performing laboratory experiments according to the laboratory analytical plans/ Laboratory protocols; and,
• Performing the Internal Quality Control and External Quality assurance as per schedule.

2. Line Management;

The post holder will be tasked with line management of Laboratory Technologists and interns for which the following must be ensured;

• Staff are enabled to perform their assigned duties as expected;
• Staff professional development is nurtured in line with the Unit’s and LSHTM’s capacity building goals;
• There is a positive and supportive work environment;
• Staff feel included and valued and their professional feedback and proposals are heard and considered;
• Staff expectations are clearly communicated;
• Staff performance is regularly monitored;
• Potential conflicts are resolved promptly and decisively, involving HR support where needed;
• Formal appraisals are conducted within the departments in line with the Unit’s schedule;
• Applicable LSHTM and Unit HR policies are being followed at all levels; and,
• Participate in the development of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications or requirements

Person Specification

• Master’s degree in any biomedical science related area;
• Bachelors in any laboratory Technology/sciences/ biological sciences/Physics (or equivalent) degree including;
• GCLP- Valid certificate;
• IATA- Valid certificate;
• Should possess experience in the management laboratory staff in a high-volume research laboratory;
• At least 1 year experience in PBMC sample processing and storage;
• Experience in running ELISPOT assay;
• Experience in running MSD assay;
• Experience in running ELISA and analysing data from;
• Experience in statistical analysis of laboratory data;
• Previous experience in working in a laboratory Clinical Trials environment;
• Managing and supporting different teams;
• Linkage with external regulatory agencies;
• Should possess knowledge of GCP/GCLP or other regulatory environments in the workplace;
• Knowledge of biosafety regulations;
• Ability to show initiative, problem solve and make independent decisions;
• Provision of high-quality training and supervision to staff and students;
• Lead quality assurance programs;
• Technical expertise and leadership;
• Independent assay development & troubleshooting of new procedures;
• Should possess excellent organisational skills;
• Good communication skills in English;
• Ability to take the initiative and solve problems;
• Excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills with the ability to work with staff at all levels; and,
• Capability to work well with colleagues from other departments.

Experience needed

Should possess experience in the management laboratory staff in a high-volume research laboratory; At least 1 year experience in PBMC sample processing and storage; Experience in running ELISPOT assay; Experience in running MSD assay; Experience in running ELISA and analysing data from; Experience in statistical analysis of laboratory data; Previous experience in working in a laboratory Clinical Trials environment; Managing and supporting different teams; Linkage with external regulatory agencies.

Any other provided details

This position is open to Ugandan nationals only.

• Supervise, evaluate and validate assay development in the laboratories;
• Contribute to the development of laboratory analytical plans and standard operating procedures;
• Assisting in capacity building by demonstrating practical procedures to new staff and student attachments;
• Ensure equipment maintenance is done per the prepared and approved schedule;
• Compliance with the different laboratory standards such as ISO 15189, GCLP, HSP, GCP, and GDPR;
• Presentation of scientific data to peers and or broader group during meetings, conferences, journal clubs, and continuous medical education;
• Review of results outcomes before submission for approval to the senior staff;
• Performing laboratory experiments according to the laboratory analytical plans/ Laboratory protocols; and,
• Performing the Internal Quality Control and External Quality assurance as per schedule.
• Staff are enabled to perform their assigned duties as expected;
• Staff professional development is nurtured in line with the Unit’s and LSHTM’s capacity building goals;
• There is a positive and supportive work environment;
• Staff feel included and valued and their professional feedback and proposals are heard and considered;
• Staff expectations are clearly communicated;
• Staff performance is regularly monitored;
• Potential conflicts are resolved promptly and decisively, involving HR support where needed;
• Formal appraisals are conducted within the departments in line with the Unit’s schedule;
• Applicable LSHTM and Unit HR policies are being followed at all levels; and,
• Participate in the development of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.

• Ability to show initiative, problem solve and make independent decisions;
• Provision of high-quality training and supervision to staff and students;
• Lead quality assurance programs;
• Technical expertise and leadership;
• Independent assay development & troubleshooting of new procedures;
• Should possess excellent organisational skills;
• Good communication skills in English;
• Ability to take the initiative and solve problems;
• Excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills with the ability to work with staff at all levels; and,
• Capability to work well with colleagues from other departments.

• Master’s degree in any biomedical science related area;
• Bachelors in any laboratory Technology/sciences/ biological sciences/Physics (or equivalent) degree including;
• GCLP- Valid certificate;
• IATA- Valid certificate;
• Should possess experience in the management laboratory staff in a high-volume research laboratory;
• At least 1 year experience in PBMC sample processing and storage;
• Experience in running ELISPOT assay;
• Experience in running MSD assay;
• Experience in running ELISA and analysing data from;
• Experience in statistical analysis of laboratory data;
• Previous experience in working in a laboratory Clinical Trials environment;
• Managing and supporting different teams;
• Linkage with external regulatory agencies;
• Should possess knowledge of GCP/GCLP or other regulatory environments in the workplace;
• Knowledge of biosafety regulations;