Position: Laboratory Research Assistant
Background
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Vietnam (OUCRU-VN) has been working in Viet Nam for more than 20 years on infectious diseases studies and has a well-established research program, facility and partnership with the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (NHTD) and a network of hospitals across Viet Nam and Asia to conduct a wide range of clinical studies including clinical trials of drugs.
The Unit’s main focus of work is in Dengue, Infections of the Central Nervous System, Respiratory Infections, Antibiotic Resistance, Influenza, HIV and Tuberculosis.
Job summary
This position is to be repsonsible for the laboratory work for our research projects requiring microbiological testing, in particular: bacterial of fungal culture, resistance testing, media preparation, and quality control.
The position is based in the clinical research laboratories of OUCRU at NHTD. Laboratory activities and responsibilities cover the whole spectrum of protocol and SOP writing, procurement, stock management, testing, reporting, data management, data analysis, maintenance and quality assurance.
Location
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Hanoi,
6th Floor, National Hospital for Tropical Diseases,
Bach Mai Hospital, 78 Giai Phong, Dong Da, Hanoi.
Travel within Viet Nam or internationally will be required.
Tenure
Contract for one year on completion of 2 months probation with possibility of extension.
Report to
Dr. Heiman Wertheim, Director of the Hanoi Unit
Hours of work:
Full time
37.5 hours/week – Monday to Friday
Benefit
- Contracted salary: Negotiate (depending on actual experience and education)
- Health insurance through AonCare: In-patient and out-patient medical coverage; Personal accident insurance coverage
- 13th month salary (annual bonus)
- One month salary for annual clothes
- Annual leave 18 days/year (increased to 21 days in year three, 28 days in year four and 30 days from year five).
- Vietnam Social & Health insurance, Sick leave, Personal leave, Maternity leave and National holidays will be based on Vietnam Labor Law
Key responsibilities and tasks
- Laboratory work related to all research lab activities of OUCRU-VN
- Maintain good relationship with NHTD laboratory staff
- Report progress to the supervisor of OUCRU.
Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelor or Masters in medical or biological sciences
- Experience with clinical microbiological laboratory work in a hospital setting.
- Adequate level of English.
- Experience with real-time PCR
- Experience with testing human clinical samples
Desirable
- Well organized, enthusiastic and committed to Science/Research
- Experience with GeneXpert
- Previous laboratory experience particularly in a clinical/medical laboratory
- Methodical approach to record-keeping
- Team player
- Reliable
- Familiarity with computers, particularly MS Office: Word, Excel
- PowerPoint, Access and email.
Duties
- Collect, process and store samples from a range of study sites, using freezer-works for labeling and recording
- Receive, store, and log consumables as well as prepare and log aliquots and working stocks of reagents
- Develop, validate and conduct real-time and conventional RT-PCR for diagnostic and research purposes with strict adherence to guidelines to prevent contamination in the PCR laboratory
- Culture bacteria and fungi
- Prepare culture medias
- ELISA for diagnostic and research purposes
- DNA extraction, cloning and sequencing
- Set up and validate new assays and prepare standard operating protocols according to OUCRU specifications.
- Maintain data bases of samples collected and stored, tests conducted and test results
- Maintain systematic records of laboratory work performed including raw data obtained for approval by the supervisor
- Comply with health and safety standards through proper handling of potentially hazardous chemicals and biological samples
- Safely disinfect and dispose of infectious materials
- Monitor inventory levels and prepare purchase requests in a timely manner
- Contribute to routine maintenance and calibration of lab equipment such as freezers and pipettes
- Other duties related to research on infectious diseases as requested by supervisor
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to send curriculum vitae, application* and copies of relevant certificates, either by email or by post to
Bui Huyen Trang
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Vietnam
6th Floor, National Hospital for Tropical Diseases
Bach Mai Hospital
78 Giai phong, Dong da, Ha noi
Email: [email protected] [1]
* The cover letter should detail:
What part of your education, training or employment history has best equipped you for this position?
Why you would make a good candidate for this position?
Names of two referees who can provide details of relevant experience
* Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interview. Please no telephone contact after submitting the application
Deadline for submission: 23 December 2013