Research Assistant – Tuberculosis Research

About the role

AHRI is looking for a Research Assistant to join a multidisciplinary team focused on tuberculosis research. The main responsibility is working with clinical samples in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories. The position is open to South African or other African applicants, with a valid work permit desirable.

Key responsibilities

• Perform laboratory activities related to the project and assist the senior researcher with experiments, data verification and quality control
• Process clinical samples and carry out mycobacteriological, microbiological, molecular biology and clinical sample processing assays in a BSL-3 facility
• Fix smears with fluorescent Auramine-O and Ziehl-Neelsen stains and operate fluorescent and light microscopes
• Prepare solid and liquid media, label plates and tubes, and conduct basic BSL-3 assays such as subculturing of Mycobacteria
• Run drug susceptibility testing, bioenergetic assays, and examine histopathological human samples to characterise mycobacteria
• Extract and quantify mycobacterial proteins and nucleic acids, perform PCR, qPCR and sequencing, and analyse data to recommend next steps
• Document and store experimental designs and results electronically, and compile weekly or monthly progress reports
• Take part in research updates, journal clubs and laboratory meetings, and work overtime including weekends when required

Required profile

• Honours or Masters' degree in medical microbiology, biomedical sciences, molecular biology or an equivalent field
• At least 1 to 2 years of experience in TB routine diagnostics and laboratory research
• Experience processing and storing clinical samples such as respiratory samples, blood, tissue, cells and RNA/DNA
• Good Clinical Laboratory Practice and BSL-2 and BSL-3 TB laboratory experience is advantageous
• Experience with mycobacteriology, microbiological and molecular techniques for TB diagnostics, including decontamination, smear fixation, subculturing, phenotypic and genotypic drug susceptibility testing, seahorse assays, PCR/qPCR and sequencing
• High level of computer literacy

Required skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
• Accuracy and precision, ability to work under pressure and independently with little or no supervision
• Willingness to work after hours and on weekends when necessary