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:
Senior Laboratory Technologist – (01 Position)
Position Code: SLT -424
Reports to: Research Fellow/ Lab manager & PI
Department: Immunomodulation and Vaccines (I-Vac)
Station: Entebbe
Job Purpose
The position holder will serve as a senior laboratory technologist for the project investigating the impact of early-life infectious and nutritional exposures on cardiovascular disease risk in tropical Africa. Responsibilities include conducting laboratory assays on study samples collected from young adults participating in a birth cohort since 2003, both at the main unit and field laboratories.
Roles & Responsibilities
The post holder will participate in conducting immunology laboratory analyses under
supervision of the line manager. Specifically, he/she will be responsible for:
Receiving, processing, and storing of study samples according to SOPs and study protocols;
• Planning and performing SOP-guided laboratory techniques including;
o Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assays (ELISAs)
o Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) assays
o Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolation from whole blood, and subsequent storage
o Whole blood and PBMC stimulation assays
o Multiplex bead array assays such as Luminex®
o Flow cytometry
o DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• Analysis of laboratory results, with the support of the line manager, and preparing reports on experiments;
• Ensuring that required reagents and supplies are in sufficient stocks and are stored appropriately;
• Finding and reading literature relevant to the work;
• Participate in writing publications, sometimes as lead author;
• Participating in sharing knowledge through laboratory meetings and journal clubs;
• Preparing and reviewing standard operating procedures;
• Implementing GCLP practices and engaging in proactive problem prevention of GCLP practice;
• Entering and cleaning laboratory data; and,
• Helping with other laboratory procedures and projects as and when required by the line manager
Line Management Responsibilities;
• Provide mentorship to one or more laboratory technicians; and,
• Supervise students working in the laboratory.
Person Specification
• Minimum of a master’s degree in a biological sciences field from a recognised Ugandan university;
• Good Clinical Practice and Clinical Laboratory Practice certification;
• Minimum two years of experience working in a laboratory technologist (or related) role in a busy research setting;
• Experience in processing blood samples from research study participants;
• Experience in conducting immunoassays (such as ELISA, ELISpot, Luminex, Flow cytometry);
• Ability to learn and conduct assays required, according to study protocols;
• Should possess Analytical and conceptual thinking skills;
• Thoroughness;
• Reliability; and,
• Concern for excellence.
Follow the link below to fill a form and submit your application documentation: https://redcap.link/Senior_Laboratory_Technologist_CDLS_424 Filling the form more than once will lead to automatic disqualification. High level of integrity while filling the form is required and will be considered during shortlisting. Combine all your application documentation i.e. cover letter, CV & academic documents into one PDF document. Deadline for application is 19th April 2024, 5:00pm. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. This position is open to Ugandan nationals only. Strictly follow the application procedure as failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification. Only online applications through the link provided will be accepted. You will receive a notification in your email if your application and documentation have been successfully received. N.B: You will be required to present certified copies of your academic documentation and a certificate of good conduct before employment. The applications should be addressed to: The Head of Human Resources, MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O. Box, 49, Entebbe, Uganda. Consider your application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to automatic disqualification. By submitting your personal information, you consent to the MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit holding and using it in accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. The Unit reserves the right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to authenticate their validity.