Research Laboratory Technician (Mycobacteriology)

About the role

The Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Research Laboratory Technician for its Durban campus. This is a new, fixed one-year contract position, directly reporting to Principal Investigator Dr Ndivhuho Makhado, renewable for two years depending on the needs of the role and satisfactory performance. The postholder works in a biosafety level III (BSL3) facility with international collaborators.

Key responsibilities

• Perform established mycobacteriological, molecular biology and microbiological assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in a BSL3 facility.
• Carry out phenotypic and genotypic drug susceptibility testing, line probe assays, library preparation for whole genome sequencing, extraction and profiling of NTM metabolites and analysis of their bioenergetics.
• Provide research and technical support for laboratory procedures, data curation and communication, and project administration and operations.
• Present at national and/or international conferences, research days and forums.
• Perform other related duties authorised by the PI from time to time.

Required profile

• BSc Honours or Master's degree in Medical Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology or a related discipline.
• Registered with the HPCSA as a Medical Technician.
• At least 2 years of extensive laboratory experience in mycobacteriology, microbiology and molecular biology techniques.
• At least 2 years of experience working with MTBC and NTM in a BSL2/3 laboratory.
• At least 2 years of experience handling and processing clinical specimens, staining, culturing, drug susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing of mycobacterial strains, and maintaining and storing mycobacterial strains.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work on multiple projects and prioritise workloads.
• Valid work permit desirable; the position is primarily open to South African or other African applicants.

Required skills

• Good knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and genomic surveillance.
• Competence in troubleshooting, problem solving, data management, computer literacy and report writing.