Research Laboratory Technician

Africa Health Research Institute NPC; Durban; Vor Ort; ZAR 420.000 - 540.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Africa Health Research Institute in Durban invites applications for a Research Laboratory Technician to join the team on a fixed one-year contract, renewable for a further two years based on performance and project needs.

The role involves performing established mycobacteriological, molecular biology and clinical sample processing assays for Mtbc and NTM in a BSL-3 facility, with responsibilities in data management, report writing and presenting findings at conferences.

Qualifikationen

• BSc Honours/Master’s in related field required.
• HPCSA registration as Medical Technician is required.
• Experience with Mtbc/NTM and BSL-3 handling preferred.

Aufgaben

• Perform Mtbc/NTM assays and sample processing in a BSL-3 facility.
• Coordinate data management and report writing.
• Prepare libraries and perform genomic analyses where applicable.
• Present findings at national/international conferences.

Kenntnisse

Mycobacteriology

Molecular biology

BSL-3 handling

Data management

Report writing

Problem solving

Computer literacy

Laboratory troubleshooting

Ausbildung

BSc Honours in Medical Microbiology

Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences

HPCSA registration as Medical Technician

Jobbeschreibung

The application closing date: 26 Oct 2026 Description: The Africa Health Research Institute seeks a highly skilled, and motivated Research Laboratory Technician to join our research team in Durban Campus. This is a fixed one-year contract, new position, directly reporting to a Principal Investigator (PI), Dr Ndivhuho Makhado, renewable for 2 years, depending upon the requirements of the role and satisfactory performance. AHRI Research Laboratory Technician’s main purpose and responsibility of this position is to perform established mycobacteriological, molecular biology, and microbiological, and clinical sample processing assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Mtbc) and Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in a biosafety level III (BSL3) facility, in collaboration with multiple international collaborators. The incumbent will also have experience in performing, phenotypic and genotypic drug susceptibility testing, line probe assays, preparing libraries whole genome sequencing, extracting and profiling nontuberculous mycobacteria metabolites and analysing their bioenergetics. He/She must have a good knowledge and understanding of antimicrobial resistance understanding of genomic surveillance. He/She must be competent in troubleshooting, problem solving, data management, computer literacy and report writing. The incumbent will present at national and/or international conferences/research days/forums He/She will provide research and technical support for laboratory procedures, data curation and communication, project administration and operations. He/She may be required to perform other related duties and tasks as authorised by the PI from time to time.

Minimum Qualifications

• BSc Honour’s/Master’s Degree in one of the following disciplines (or related) in Medical Microbiology/Biomedical Sciences/Molecular Biology.
• Registered with the HPCSA as a Medical Technician

Minimum Experience

• Minimum 2 years’ extensive laboratory experience in mycobacteriology, microbiological and molecular biological techniques
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with Mtbc and NTM in a BSL2/3 Laboratory
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in handling, processing clinical specimens for testing mycobacterial strains, staining, performing culture, phenotypic & genotypic drug susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing of mycobacterial strains in a BSL2/3 facility, as well as maintenance, and storage of mycobacterial strains as a medical research technician.

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.

Africa Health Research Institute’s vision is optimal health and well-being of under-resourced populations.

Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is an independent, transdisciplinary scientific research institute based across two campuses in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa.

AHRI’s research combines population, basic and translational, social, and clinical sciences to understand and intervene in the health and well-being of South African communities.

AHRI works in partnership with local communities and South African academic, governmental, and other policy stakeholders and collaborates with over 60 institutions globally.

AHRI prioritises the training of the next generation of African scientists.

The work lives of AHRI’s ~700 scientists, students and staff members are driven by our values: ubuntu, transformation, leadership, innovation, excellence and collaboration.