Central Laboratory Specialist

Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Nigeria (MGIC) is a non-profit affiliate of UMB with a mission to administratively support international operations of UMB Principal Investigators. Our purpose is to provide the administrative infrastructure for sizable and sustained operations outside of the

We are recruiting to fill the position below: 

Job Title: Central Laboratory Specialist

Location: Abuja

Job Description

• Through a contract with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) implements The Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). The NAIIS program assists Nigeria to implement household-based surveys for HIV/AIDS, HepB & C and CD4 testing for population based survey.
• The NAIIS program seeks to fill a Central Laboratory Specialist position to support the survey. The position is based at central laboratories location in FCT Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities
The Central Laboratory specialist will be responsible for providing testing in the selected laboratory to measure the biomarkers for the National population-based surveys. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate the development of quality control materials and panels, shipment, distribution and analysis for the survey
• Conduct HIV Incidence test, HIV RNA, and HIVDNA PCR for EID, HIV DR test
• Ensure laboratory specimen data are correctly captured in the study database and assist with routine data analysis;
• Assist with the interpretation of laboratory results from the NAIIS project and provide feedback on ways to improve/streamline lab procedures and systems;
• Assist the NAIIS team to develop strategies to ensure timely reporting of results to study participants;
• Ensure that lab staff receive and accession each specimen into a Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS) and process as per NAIIS standard operating procedure
• Coordinate and facilitate the transport of specimens from the central laboratory to designated reference laboratories
• Liaise with NAIIS laboratory Advisor periodically.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a relevant scientific field strongly preferred
• Proficiency in VL and EID testing and specialized biomarkers for the survey
• Minimum 2 years of related experience in providing laboratory technical expertise in HIV surveys.
• Ability to prioritize, act independently, work under deadlines, and implement several tasks at once.
• The central laboratory specialist position is a position that requires 100% commitment in the laboratory and will have shifts. It is expected that the laboratory specialist will demonstrate competence in Quality Management System (QMS), Laboratory Information Management system and Good Laboratory Practice.

Required Qualifications:

• A medical laboratory scientist, medical laboratory technician, skilled in QMS and Data management.
• Experience in working on the laboratory bench for at least THREE years.
• Experience in HIV program; participation in proficiency testing is an advantage
• Experience with population survey will be an added advantage

Required Skills:

• Experience performing Quality Assurance measures in all phases of biomedical testing
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English required.

Work Skills:

• Ability to work for long hours
• Ability to pay attention to details
• Ability to work with your hands and will need dexterity to work with small vials, test tubes, and delicate lab equipment.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well and cooperate with team members in the field.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and routine equipment maintenance.
• A systematic approach to tasks and the ability to follow instructions and set procedures
• A high level of flexibility in performing the responsibilities of the position,
• An indigene of the state or resident in the state.

Application Closing Date
19th March, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Use link to apply online