Haramaya University is one of the oldest Universities in Ethiopia, with its first intake in 1954. It is about 17km from the city of Harar, 40km from Dire Dawa (where there is a regional airport), and 510km East of Addis Ababa. The College of Health and Medical Sciences is based on a campus in Harar town to facilitate training of students in nearby hospitals. This campus also hosts the office of the two Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS).
BACKGROUND
Haramaya University has formed a research collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Current research projects are focused on maternal and child health. The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance network (CHAMPS, http://champshealth.org/) is a global health surveillance network funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed at understanding the causes of child death in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The core of the project is to develop laboratory, epidemiological and clinical surveillance for detection of infectious diseases (through minimally invasive tissue sampling) in children who have died and those with life-threatening illnesses. The Maternal Infection Study, an aligned research project, is investigating the contribution of infection to stillbirth and early neonatal death.
The post-holder will be responsible for working with health care workers and research staff to support and facilitate all research activities within the Microbiology and pathology Laboratory department.
Duties and Responsibilities
The post-holder will work full-time at the CHAMPS site in Haramaya, Eastern Ethiopia and will be responsible to the Laboratory Director of the CHAMPS study. The post-holder will work closely with other project specific staff (Pathologist, Project Managers, Medical and Clinical Officers, Nurses, Demographic Surveillance staff, Social Science staff) to develop capacity to participate and maintain the site in the CHAMPS network. The core of the project is to develop laboratory, epidemiological and clinical surveillance for detection of infectious diseases (through minimally invasive tissue sampling) in children who have died and those with life-threatening illnesses.
The Research Microbiologist will be responsible for developing capacity for conventional and molecular microbiological assays (Taqman Array Cards and other methodologies) using standardised operating procedures defined in the CHAMPS and other research protocols. In addition, the post holder will be expected to develop an individual research base in a related area which may not be limited to vaccines against bacterial infections, genomic analysis of bacterial pathogenesis, or similar – depending on the existing skills and interests of the successful applicant.
Key Responsibilities
The post holder will closely work with staff assigned by the LSHTM in smooth flow of activities related to the laboratory research activities both in the clinical and community setting. Some of the major activities include:
- Assist in all aspects of the microbiological management of the overarching project
- Manage the microbiology laboratory including all aspects of laboratory staff supervision, staff training, oversight of quality control, compliance with GLP, GCLP, equipment maintenance and stock control.
- Contribute to the clinical service at Harar Hospital at the level and specialisation appropriate to training and qualifications.
- Strengthen and support (training, establishing quality systems, etc) for bacteriology laboratories at the CHAMPS site (Regional and Hospital laboratories as appropriate).
- Provide expert microbiological advice to surveillance activities within the centre
- Present or represent the CHAMPS study at scientific meetings at the request of the PI or co-PIs
- Lead new research projects within the scope of the CHAMPS project
- Participate in CHAMPS network events and teleconferences
- Develop a personal programme of research* within the scope of the CHAMPS project
- Assist in the supervision of microbiology students at Haramaya University
- Contribute to the academic life of Haramaya University through attendance and presentation at seminars, journal clubs etc.
- Perform other appropriate duties as may be assigned by the PI of the CHAMPS site in Haramaya.
Job Requirements
Essential:
- PhD in Medical Microbiology/Infectious Disease/ Molecular Biology or Masters in Microbiology/Infectious Disease/ Molecular Biology and Assistant or Associate Professor of Microbiology/Infectious Disease/Molecular Biology)
- Registration with the appropriate regulatory body to practice in Medical Laboratory Facilities
- Good communication skills
- Good computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft applications
- Good management and organizational skills
- Teaching and Research Experience
- Fluent in written and spoken English
- At least 5 years of work experience in research/clinical microbiology laboratory practices
Desired:
- Evidence of training in good laboratory practice and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice
- Experience of advanced laboratory practices; molecular, microbiology, sample preparation
- Work experience in Clinical Research
- Master of Public Health/Epidemiology
How to Apply
Haramaya University Human Resource and Development Directorate office, Administration Building 1st Floor, Room No. 114 at Haramaya’
CHAMPS office at College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University SGS building, Harar.
Haramaya University Liaison Office at Addis Ababa, Arat Kilo. Former Germany Cultural Institute Building Office No.15.
More Information
- Address Primarily College of Health and Medical Sciences, Harari
- Experience Level Senior
- Total Years Experience 5-10
- Qualification PhD/Fellowship
- Text Area field Salary: 67,500 ETB/Month
