Molecular Biologist at Afriglobal Group

Reports To: Head of Pathology

Job Purpose

• The Molecular and Cellular Biologist will tests on cell organization and function including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.

Principal Accountabilities

• Designs molecular or cellular laboratory tests, oversees their execution, and interprets results. Maintains accurate laboratory records and data.
• Conducts research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for conducting tests.
• Performs laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
• Prepares reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
• Monitors or operates specialized equipment such as gene sequencers and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters.
• Develops assays that monitor cell characteristics.
• Coordinates molecular or cellular test activities with scientists specializing in other fields. Evaluates new technologies to enhance or complement current tests.
• Develops guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.
• Verifies that financial, physical, and human resources assigned to projects are used as planned.
• Determine and recommend laboratory needs including lab equipment, supplies, and computer hardware and software systems.
• Supervises technical staff, directs, coordinates, organizes, and prioritizes biological laboratory activities.
• Carries out other laboratory activities as designated by head of Department.

Competencies
Conceptual Thinking:

• Understands how own tasks relate to the wider framework
• Compares present data and events with previously defined frameworks
• Relates different pieces of information and recognizes trends
• Innovativeness
• Thinks in terms of options when identifying solutions
• Develops new approaches to improve or replace existing procedures or systems
• Generates alternatives before settling on a solution

Ability to Learn:

• Quickly understands what new tasks / jobs required
• Easily learns unique job related vocabulary
• Quickly understands and uses processes, technologies and ideas that are continually being updated
• Easily learns new information regarding changing products, operations etc Understands and learns to work with new business, office and information technologies
• Learns highly complex information regarding a product or operation
• Is open and understands new ideas

Adaptability:

• Pursues policies and procedures consistent with local norms and values
• Adopts means of communication and interaction that suit different cultures
• Deals with effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds
• Behaves consistently with local norms and values
• Maintains effectiveness when dealing with people from a variety of backgrounds

Self-Control:

• Keeps things in perspective despite fatigue or frustration
• Maintains effectiveness and commitment in the face of disappointment
• Copes effectively with ambiguity
• Is objective under pressure and in difficult or stressful circumstances
• Works effectively under tight deadlines
• Maintains a business-like approach when unduly annoyed, disturbed or disrupted by others
• Maintains objectivity when interpreting information and defining problems

Special Features:

• Scientific Degree, preferably with some experience of Molecular Biology
• Knowledge of microbial expression cell systems / mammalian cell line expression platforms and / or process development strategies
• Ability to communicate the progress of projects, both verbally using presentations and with written reports
• Experience in aseptic technique, microbial systems, microbial culturing, standard molecular biology techniques, cloning, sequence analysis.