The Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa) is a World Bank supported center of excellence for education and research at the College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The main aim of CDT-Africa is to serve as a platform for equitable access to interventions (medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and complex interventions) and bring about sustainable development in Africa through high-quality capacity development for innovative therapeutic discovery.

As part of this effort, CDT-Africa would like to hire experienced research associate who can assist CDT-Africa diagnostic reagent and assay development research projects. 

The Role of the Research Associate

The successful applicant will be responsible for conducting relevant diagnostic product development work for CDT-Africa under the guidance of CDT-Africa Centre Lead, & the key innovation unit heads.

Principal responsibilities

• Work closely with project investigators to plan and co-ordinate study activities.

• Responsible for designs, conduct, and analyzes experiments for assay development activities throughout feasibility, design, and development stages of the product development cycle

• Designs and, where needed, re-designs assay conditions, buffer compositions, experimental parameters, and any other factors required for assay robustness

• Work on multiple projects, either individually or in small teams

• Assist and/or lead trouble-shooting activities for specific products

• Design and Perform rigorous method validations and data analysis/write-up/submission support.

• Assist in review data and make the appropriate decisions and takes action on them to drive projects to meet timelines

• Generate documentation in compliance with Quality Systems and Good Laboratory Practices

• Identifies potential problems early in a project and implementation phase and makes suggestions on how to resolve them while keeping key deadlines in mind

• Maintain laboratory notebooks

• Prepare laboratory SOPs, optimize laboratory procedures and conduct laboratory activities

• Ensure standards and the quality of laboratory procedures by strictly following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Adhere to biosafety measures adopted in the laboratory, minding the safety of oneself and others

• Facilitate to maintenance of established system of organized record keeping and information management for timely delivery of results, data collection, analysis and reporting for laboratory monitoring and facilitation to operational research.

• Facilitate in maintenance of laboratory equipment in good working order and operate equipment appropriately following SOPs.

• Additional tasks as directed by the Head of the centre or study investigators

Terms and conditions

• Hours of work: are governed by the laws of Ethiopia. However, the nature of the work is such that it might require working overtime and weekends, with due financial compensation.

• Holidays: are governed by the rules of Addis Ababa University for project workers.

• Length of contract: this is a two years subject to six monthly contract renewal.

• Probationary period and notice period: there is a three-month probationary period for this role. The notice period is one month.

 Required: 1(One)

Job Requirements

• Technical knowledge with demonstrated experience in product development research including, but not limited to, molecular techniques, bioinformatics tools.

Requirements

• MSc in Biotechnology, molecular biology and Microbiology related field, where the MSc is completed with thesis rated Excellent or Very good

• 3 years related experience with  at least 2 publications

• Experience in the development of diagnostic products  preferred ELISA, Cell culture, DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis are prioritized

• Discretion and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information

• Experience with diagnostic kit development, enzyme extraction  research methods /procedures

• Strong computer program literacy and knowledge

• Strong administrative and organizational skills.

Personal attributes

• Well organized

• A high level of attention to detail

• Ability to work with others, including international collaborators

• Excellent communication and organizational skills

How to Apply

Submit your application letter in person by specifying: for which position you are applying, the date you will be available if selected for the post, updated CV and your relevant credentials (such as degree and other relevant document) both the original and copy to the Human Resource Administration office in Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) Room No. 15