Research Assistant

Africa Health Research Institute; Durban; Presencial; ZAR 180.000 - 300.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Africa Health Research Institute in Durban seeks a Research Assistant to support tuberculosis research. The role involves handling clinical samples in BSL-2/BSL-3, performing TB-related assays, and assisting senior researchers with experiments and data verification.

The candidate will process respiratory and other clinical samples, maintain reagents, and participate in weekly progress reporting and journal clubs.

Formación

• Honours or Masters degree in Medical microbiology, Biomedical sciences, Molecular biology, or equivalent in related field.
• Experience in TB routine diagnostics and laboratory research preferred.
• Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) advantageous.

Responsabilidades

• Perform laboratory activities related to the TB project.
• Assist senior researcher with experiments, data verification and quality control.
• Carry out clinical sample processing; monitor and maintain reagents and stocks of Mycobacteria.
• Conduct mycobacteriological, microbiological and molecular biology assays in a BSL-3 facility.
• Prepare media, stain smears, and perform subculturing and DST.
• Document and store all experimental designs and results; report progress weekly to supervisor.

Conocimientos

English communication

Attention to detail

Independence

Overtime availability

Educación

Honours or Masters in Medical Microbiology/Biomedical Sciences/Molecular Biology

Herramientas

PCR

qPCR

Fluorescent microscopy

Genomic sequencing

Descripción del empleo

The application closing date:

26 Oct 2026

Description:

The Research Assistant will work as part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team in AHRI focusing on tuberculosis research. The incumbent’s main responsibility is to work with clinical samples in the BSL-2 and BSL-3.

Brief overview of duties

• Perform laboratory activities related to the project.

• Assist senior researcher with experiments, data verification and quality control.

• Carry out clinical sample processing when necessary.

• Monitor and maintain reagents and stocks of all Mycobacteria strains

• Perform general laboratory housekeeping, equipment, and good laboratory practise maintenance

• Work overtime, including weekends, when required.

• Perform mycobacteriological, microbiological, molecular biology and clinical sample processing assays for Mycobacteria in a BSL3 facility

• Fix smears using fluorescent Auramine-O and Ziehl Neelsen stains; and operate fluorescent and light microscopes

• Prepare solid and liquid media as well as label plates/ tubes for assays

• Conduct basic BSL3 assays including subculturing of Mycobacteria

• Conduct drug susceptibility testing for mycobacteria

• Perform bioenergetic assays

• Examine histopathological human biological samples and characterize mycobacteria

• Perform extractions and quantifications of Mycobacterial proteins and nucleic acids, as well as PCR and qPCR, and sequencing

• Analyze experimental data to provide recommendations for the next experimental steps

• Document and store all experimental designs and results obtained electronically

• Compile and provide progress report weekly/monthly to the line manager or PI

• Participate in the research update meetings, and institution’s academic activities including journal clubs

• and laboratory meetings

Minimum Qualifications

• Honours or Masters’ degree in Medical microbiology, Biomedical sciences, Molecular biology, or equivalent in related field

Minimum Experience

• Minimum 1 to 2 years’ experience in TB routine diagnostics and laboratory research
• Processing and storing of clinical samples e.g. respiratory samples, bloods, tissue, cells, RNA/DNA etc
• Good Clinical Laboratory Practice
• SL2 and BSL3 TB laboratory experience advantageous
• Laboratory experience in laboratory experience in mycobacteriology, microbiological and molecular biological techniques for TB diagnostics, including clinical sample processing (decontamination, fix smear, subculturing, identification, phenotypic and genotypic DST using rapid molecular assays), seahorse assays, genomic extracted products, PCR, qPCR, target and whole genome sequencing and analysis.
• High level of computer literacy

Skills Required

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
• Accuracy and precision
• Must be able to work under pressure
• Able to work independent with minimum supervision/no supervision
• Willingness to work after hours and on weekends when necessary

Worker Type:

Employee

AHRI is a values-driven organisation. As an employer we are committed to staff engagement and development. Our culture is one of high performance and partnership.

Our values

The successful candidate will be expected to live by AHRI’s values, including collaboration, ubuntu, leadership, innovation, transformation, and excellence.

Employment equity

AHRI is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment equity. This position is primarily open to South African or other African applicants, with a valid work permit desirable. AHRI reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date to facilitate further searches. Furthermore, AHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.