About MRC:
The Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/UVRI) based at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe is a bilateral multi-disciplinary research organization funded by, the Medical Research Council (UK) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Uganda under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other donor agencies. Established in 1988, the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS is an internationally recognized center of excellence for research on HIV infection and related diseases, contributing knowledge on the revolving epidemic, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention, and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide.
MRC/UVRI invites applications from suitably qualified Ugandans for the following contractual post within the Co-Infection Studies Programme and in collaboration with the Makerere University-UVRI Centre of Excellence for Infection and Immunity Research and Training (MUII+) and with Professor Richard Grencis at the University of Manchester, UK.
The Co-Infection Studies Programme, led by Professor Alison Elliott, is interested in the effect of chronic infections (especially with worms or malaria) on health outcomes (including responses to vaccines, and susceptibility to infectious diseases and to non-communicable diseases, such as asthma and diabetes). MUII+ supports translational training and research on infection and immunity, linking laboratory and bioinformatics studies to clinical and epidemiological research. This post is funded by the Royal Society.
Job Summary: The Laboratory Technologist will work on a study which is investigating the impact of helminth infections and their treatment on metabolic outcomes, such as diabetes. For the first seven to eight months, the successful candidate will work with the research team in Uganda, processing samples that are being collected as part of a clinical trial among island fishing villages. In September 2017 he/ she will travel to Manchester to undertake the MSc in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics. Subject to excellent performance and confirmation of funding, he/she will then proceed to a PhD at Makerere University, with sandwich attachments in Professor Grencis’s group at the University of Manchester. The project will use samples from Uganda in studies of the impact of helminths and their treatment on microbiome, gene expression and metabolome.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Participate in sample reception and processing, and molecular and immunological assays
Actively participate in documentation of laboratory aspects of research in keeping with good clinical laboratory research practice (GCLP)
Take part in the day-to-day laboratory organisation and maintenance
Work with supervisors to develop and execute project work at Masters and PhD level, contributing to study design, execution, writing up, publications and dissemination
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate should preferably hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area
GCP and GCLP certification
Preliminary training or experience in bioinformatics approaches and analysis is desirable
Previous experience of core molecular assays such as DNA/RNA extraction, quantification, PCR
Computer literacy skills i.e. proficiency in MS Office packages
NB: Individuals already holding a relevant Master’s degree, but wishing to develop skills in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology are encouraged to apply
How to Apply:
All candidates should send their applications letters, copies of academic qualifications and curriculum vitae including names, telephone contacts and email addresses of three (3) referees should be sent only via e mail to: recruitment@mrcuganda.org. Please quote the position code in the subject line of the email.
Deadline: 6th January 2017