Laboratory Manager at The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF)

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development of project plans, timelines, and budgets, and ensure the effective execution of project activities. Collaborate with various stakeholders, including U.S. government agencies, Nigerian Ministry of Defense Health Implementation Program, international partners, research institutions, and local health authorities.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance related to infectious disease surveillance, research methodologies, or public health interventions. Prepare progress reports, presentations, and other communication materials for project stakeholders and senior leadership. Ensuring all project activities adhere to relevant regulations, ethical guidelines, research protocols and program requirements.
• Perform basic data analysis using various statistical packages including WHONet. Prepare monthly project reports for stakeholders and present them to the Principal Investigator. Participate in grants and research proposals writing including conference abstracts and manuscripts.
• Operate and manage essential microbiology process and procedures including critical laboratory equipment such as automated Vitek 2 Compact system for Identification / Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing, Microarray analyzers, centrifuges, Class II biological safety cabinets, dead air boxes, PCR platforms, and sequencers. Manage the use of molecular and genomics databases and administer genomic software and hardware on the server. Deploy existing bioinformatics pipelines, design new computational tools, and structures, and determine an effective data analysis framework.
• Advanced molecular laboratory work on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) characterization - whole genome sequence analysis. Comply with all laboratory-specific protocols, implement functional Internal Quality Control and External Quality Assurance Systems and standards, Brisk management framework, hygiene, and infection prevention and control policies. Manage data confidentiality, security and privacy including Input and management of data in program databases. Report all protocol-related activities, achievements, challenges and protocol deviations to the Principal Investigator.
• Review research data and documentation to ensure accuracy and quality while maintaining the completeness, correctness, and consistency of all research outputs. Develop relevant Standard Operating Procedures, Laboratory data collection tools, review of quality management system documents and recommend modification to meet ISO 15189:2022 standards.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Skills and expertise use, care, maintenance and trouble shoot of essential laboratory instrument for diagnosis of infectious diseases and outbreaks surveillance such as Identification / Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing analyzers, centrifuges, Class II biological safety cabinets, ELISA, PCR platforms, Vitek 2 Compact system, and sequencers
• DNA/ RNA extraction, Library Preparation, and Whole genome sequencing on NGS platforms.
• RT-qPCR, primer design, multiplex PCR, bacterial typing, culturing and susceptibility testing.
• Expertise in Microbial Genomics, Bioinformatics genomics databases and administering the genomic software and hardware on the server is highly desirable.
• Deploy existing bioinformatics pipelines, design new computational tools, and structures, and determine an effective data analysis framework.
• Advanced molecular laboratory work on AMR characterization - whole genome sequence analysis and comparative Genomics including other bioinformatic analysis techniques using relevant computational tools.
• Incumbents must possess programming skills to extract deep insights from biological data outputs using relevant tools such (R or Python) including proficiency in statistical / epidemiological software. S/He must have the ability to consistently plan, prioritize and organize work in a way that produces strategic results
• Participate in grants and research proposals writing including international conference abstracts and manuscripts submission for publications in high impact factor journals

Physical Capabilities

• Lifting: Requires lifting materials up to 10 lbs.
• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's and Master's Degree required, Doctoral degree preferred
• Minimum of 6-8 years experience required

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.