Principal Scientific Research Officer

Duties/PligteTaking responsibility for laboratory components of research studies as specified by the principal investigators, including setting up and troubleshooting research

processes, tracking research progress, achieving deliverables and evaluating impact;Managing daily operations of a research team on specific projects, including sample management and coordinating research experiments;- Identifying and designing sample analysis plans, implementing advanced regulatory level testing techniques of biological samples (e.g., blood, sputum, urine,

broncho alveolar lavage fluid, and others), or methods identified by the principal investigators;Establishing and executing pertinent performance characteristics (e.g., accuracy, precision, sensitivity, limit of detection, etc.) that demonstrate or confirm if a

method is suitable for its intended purpose, including validation and verification of new research methods, modified methods, or procedures previously validated

externally;Ensuring that all procedures are implemented to ensure traceability and defensibility of data and timely accomplishment of approved projects;-
- Preparing SOPs and training junior staff members and students in various laboratory techniques and data analysis;-
- Analysing and interpretating data, summarising results in a concise manner, drafting update reports as studies progress or as troubleshooting occurs, and writingscientific manuscripts;Reagent and equipment management and serving as primary contact person for laboratory matters for specified research projects;-
- Representing specific principal investigator studies' laboratory components at internal and external national and international meetings;-
- Managing and performing external quality assurance for assays that are part of specific research projects;-
- Ensuring site compliance with all laboratory-related regulatory procedures for specific research studies in line with regulatory-level clinical trials and clinical research.Job Requirements/Pos VereistesMSc degree in Immunology, Molecular Biology, or a related field, with at least five years' work experience in a clinical trial laboratory environment;- Advanced experience in measuring performance characteristics (e.g., accuracy, precision, sensitivity, limit of detection, etc.), including development, validation

and verification of new research methods;Advanced experience in managing multiple research studies and student projects are essential;- Advanced experience in cell biology, including culture techniques, PBMC isolation, clinical sample handling and preparation are essential;- Advanced experience in flow cytometry sample preparation, intracellular cytokine staining, pentamer and tetramer staining, sample acquisition and analysis of

multiparameter datasets are critical;Experience in molecular work such as nucleic acid isolation methods and preferably also mycobacterial bacterial killing assays;- Experience working in a Biosafety Level 3 would be beneficial;- Experience in cytokine detection methods (Luminex, ELISA, intracellular cytokine staining for flow cytometry) would be beneficial;- Willingness and availability to perform scheduled after-hours work;- Willingness and medically fit to work with infectious human specimens in a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory;- Pre-employment medical examination will include screening for respiratory conditions like asthma and tuberculosis;- Good clinical practice certification.

Recommendation/AanbevelingGood interpersonal and sound computer skills;- A valid driver's licence and own transport;- The ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary research group;- Experience and certificate in Good Laboratory Practice (SANAS);- Experience in Cytometry-by-time-of-flight will be a distinct advantage.