The Unit is an internationally recognised centre of excellence with dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research, social-behavioural research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council (MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts. The Unit is now seeking enthusiastic and experienced individuals to fill the following position:
Senior Laboratory Technologist (02 Position)
Position Code: SLT -1221
Reports to: Project Leader
Station: Entebbe
Job Purpose:
The job holder will work collaboratively together to realise the objectives and goals of the TB Post-mortem Project. Duties will be to liaise with the clinical teams at both Kiruddu and Mulago National Referral Hospitals (KNRH and MNRH, respectively), to ensure cadavers are delivered to the Mortuary in good time. Other duties are to oversee the transport of PM samples to Entebbe, and to undertake immunological studies within the BSL3 facility on the samples. Separate research projects will be offered for the successful candidates. Shared project management duties will be required, both in managing clinical teams on different hospital wards, within the Pathology Unit at MNRH itself, and managing BSL3 research and laboratory issues. Other duties may be required as and when needed.

Roles & Responsibilities
1. Principle responsibilities:
Implementing the study;
• Work collaboratively with clinical and laboratory research teams;
• Oversee and coordinate the day to day activities of the study and ensure collection of quality data;
• Liaise with KNRH and MNRH staff to ensure coordination between the MRC and the hospital clinical teams;
• Participate in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) development;
• Develop and implement a sample flow plan to ensure that samples are transported from sites to the labs in a timely manner, that the labs analyse these samples in a reasonable timeframe, that results are entered into the results database and that these results are reported back to the PI;
• Ensure that samples are correctly tracked, processed and stored in the biobank;
• Ensure the activities and outputs achieved are in line with the protocol, project plan and budget;
• Ensure integrity of study data through QA/QC activities/ procedures and strong data management; and,
• Undertake laboratory studies and analysis, such as ELISAs, flow cytometry and in vitro stimulations.

Data analysis and dissemination;
• Work collaboratively with clinical and laboratory research teams;
• Oversee and coordinate the day to day activities of the study and ensure collection of quality data

Financial Management:
• Work closely with operational and finance team to ensure strong budget and resource management in line with approved budget and sponsor and institutional requirements.

Person Specification
• Masters level in immunology;
• Good Laboratory practice;
• Should possess experience in immunological assays;
• Experience in cell culture, including proliferation;
• At least 1year experience working in a BSL3 laboratory;
• Knowledge of post-mortem procedures and tissue collection;
• Knowledge of running samples on a spectral flow analyser (Cytec Aurora);
• Knowledge of isolating cells from human tissue;
• Project management experience;
• Should possess excellent working knowledge of immunological assays;
• Knowledge of ethical regulations around sample storage;
• Motivation to perform cutting-edge science using various tools to understand different aspects of host-microbe imme interactions;
• Strong multitasking ability, capability to handle highly-dynamic projects, and open to learning new techniques;
• Strong skills in organising and thorough record-keeping; and,
• Strong collaborative ability and teamwork experience.

Follow the link below to fill a form and submit your application documentation: https://redcap.link/Senior_Laboratory_Technologist_TB_Post_mortem_Project
Combine all your application documentation i.e. cover letter, CV & academic documents into one PDF document. Deadline for application is 17th December 2021, 5:00pm. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. This position is open to Ugandan nationals only. Strictly follow the application procedure as failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification. Only online applications through the link provided will be accepted.
You will receive a notification in your email if your application and documentation have been successfully received. In the event you are selected as the best candidate for the job, it will be a requirement to present certified copies of academic documents prior to contracting.
The applications should be addressed to:
The Head of Human Resources,
MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit,
P.O. Box, 49,
Entebbe, Uganda.
Consider your application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to automatic disqualification. By submitting your personal information, you consent to the MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit holding and using it in accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. The Unit reserves the right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to authenticate their validity.