The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) was founded in 1970 through the initiative of the Norwegian and Swedish Save the Children organizations seconded by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. The Institute got its name from the Norwegian physician, Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who first described the leprosy bacillus (Mycobacterium leprae). AHRI is a biomedical research institute that works in developing tools for prevention, control and treatment of mycobacterium and other diseases of public healthy importance through applied and basic biomedical research and training.
In collaboration with universities in the US, Emory University and New York University AHRI has planned to conduct a study on understanding the immune signatures to characterize progression to active TB disease. The study is planned to involve a number of health facilities, particularly health centers in Addis Ababa and enroll quite larger number of active TB patients and their household contacts. The study is funded by NIH, USA for a period of 3 years. The project involves both field and laboratory activities. We are looking for enthusiastic, bright minded, hardworking and time conscious candidates to be part of the team as well as envisioning to the excellence of the Institute through quality research.
The Role of Laboratory Technician :
The laboratory technicians shall be based at AHRI lab, execute quality laboratory analyses timely on specimens collected from study sites, closely work with the field coordinators on sample receipt process and data entry clerk for proper data entry.
Specifications for the position:
Personal Specification: Essential Skills and Experience
- BSc in laboratory technology from an accredited institution
- Experience in research lab (preferred)
- Strong organizational and coordination skills esp. in the lab for timely data reporting
- Experience in immunological work and/or TB lab (preferred)
- Training on GCLP, biosafety practices and quality control/assurance (preferred)
Personal Attributes:
- Personal training/skills in the required position
- Excellent interpersonal communication skill and proficient English skill
- Strong computer literacy (MS office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and internet use)
- Strong organizational skills
- A high level of attention to details
- Ability to work with others/team work, including international collaborators
- Open for discussion and learning
- Ability to problem solving
- Well organized; flexible to working off-working hours or weekends as needed
- Willingness to take up additional responsibilities and continuous training as needed
Principal Responsibilities:
- Receive pool of specimens from field coordinators for further routine lab analyses
- Perform appropriate lab test and analyses on a timely manner
- Ensure laboratory safety and regulations
- Ensure proper handling, cleaning and maintenance of laboratory equipment
- Strictly abide to study-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Ensure generating quality data
- Follow GCLP practices
- Handle any lab related duty given by the lab supervisor, quality officer or the PI
- Transfer quality laboratory data to the PI/core team and AHRI data management
Terms and Conditions:
1. Salary: According to the Institute's scale for contract employees
2. Hours of Work: Are governed by the laws of Ethiopia. However, the nature of the work is such that it might require working late hours and weekends
3. Length of Contract: This is a 3 year post, subject to annual contract renewal