Principal Scientist (3 Year Contract - Mycology)

Additional information: About the Division: Wits Mycology aims to improve the outcomes of people affected by serious, life-threatening fungal diseases in South Africa and the African region through epidemiological studies, clinical trials and laboratory science research and innovation.
Their work also stretches to other important infectious diseases affecting people with advanced HIV and critically-ill people in hospital Current research/surveillance work is funded by NIHR (UK), Gates Foundation (US), US CDC, Wellcome (UK), and MRC (UK) The division's research laboratory is currently based at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Sandringham) but a BSL2 mycology/microbiology facility is planned to open at the Wits Biohub (Parktown) in 2025 and a BSL3 mycology facility in future This Role: A principal scientist with expertise in medical microbiology/mycology is needed to manage the research laboratory and oversee the division's laboratory work programme and the lab team Main purpose of the job: To manage and support technical and scientific laboratory functions and to oversee a portfolio of laboratory programmes and initiatives Location: NICD (Sandringham) and/or Wits Biohub (Parktown) - Johannesburg Key performance areas: Lab coordination and management: Provide programme oversight to ensure the coordination, integration, and efficient delivery of all lab programmes and activities, including staff contracts; work plans; training, etc.
Support lab staff to strategies, troubleshoot, plan, develop, and execute programme activities Drive lab strategy in line with long term operational strategic objectives Financial, supply chain and contract management: Ensure effective and efficient implementation of approved budget/s for the lab programmes and projects Ensure that lab budgets are executed in line with applicable policies and procedures Ensure that contract management is in line with applicable policies and procedures Compile relevant management reports on a regular basis Support/assist operations staff in ensuing IT infrastructure and systems are in place & enable efficient working Stakeholder engagement and grant writing for new opportunities: Identify funding opportunities that align with Mycology vision/mission and lead proposal development Assist//provide technical and writing assistance on proposals Identify, build and maintain working relationships with national and global partners, including donors, government and other relevant stakeholders Staff management: Support the lab staff and scientists in managing workload and research priorities Guidance and development of lab research agendas and participation in conferences Attend to all lab staffing requirements and administration including induction, probation and discipline Ensure that the performance management system is in place and implemented Ensure that all lab employees are developed to their full potential and explore external opportunities for development Ensure that lab staff is trained and capacitated to achieve organisational goals Monitor, evaluate and manage the lab team performance through implementing the HR policy, implementing performance processes Bioinformatics workflows: Run bioinformatics workflows and scripts to analyse next-generation sequencing data Contributing to assembling of whole genome sequences with currently established workflows Training staff/students/collaborators with bioinformatics skills Required minimum education and training: PhD in Medical Microbiology with ± 5 years' experience in microbiology and molecular laboratory management HPCSA registered and competent to authorise and sign out diagnostic samples would be an advantage Experience with NGS specifically, Illumina sequencing platforms/any other NGS platform experience is an advantage 2-3 years' experience with diagnostic samples and activities in an accredited routine diagnostic environment Foundational bioinformatics experience Required minimum work experience: At least 5 years' experience in microbiology and molecular laboratory management Experience as a PI or co-PI (in leading lab projects, on research grants)/ and in a microbiology/molecular biology laboratory Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities: Experience in data capturing and management of data Experience in a clinical or research microbiology laboratory Experience in nucleic acid extraction from various specimens and microorganisms Experience in PCR (conventional and real-time PCR) Experience in training of technologists, scientists and supervision of students Experience in assay development and validation Experience in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of microorganisms using various bioinformatics tools desired Must have good laboratory practice, quality assurance and laboratory accreditation Completion of Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) courses will be advantageous Must have clinical trials exposure with LDMS and LIMS understanding Grant writing skills & Academic writing skills Project management experience will be advantageous Financial and budgeting understanding Must be able to self-driven, multitask, assertive and customer orientated Ability to operate in a pressurized environment Excellent MS Office Skills Good Interpersonal and communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders Must be a team player and show initiative Incumbent to be a well-organized person and pay attention to detail TO APPLY: Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
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The closing date for all applications: 07 November 2024.
Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.
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