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 hospitalCurrent 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 futureThis 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 teamMain purpose of the job:To manage and support technical and scientific laboratory functions and to oversee a portfolio of laboratory programmes and initiativesLocation:NICD (Sandringham) and/or Wits Biohub (Parktown) - JohannesburgKey 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 activitiesDrive lab strategy in line with long term operational strategic objectivesFinancial, supply chain and contract management:Ensure effective and efficient implementation of approved budget/s for the lab programmes and projectsEnsure that lab budgets are executed in line with applicable policies and proceduresEnsure that contract management is in line with applicable policies and proceduresCompile relevant management reports on a regular basisSupport/assist operations staff in ensuing IT infrastructure and systems are in place & enable efficient workingStakeholder engagement and grant writing for new opportunities:Identify funding opportunities that align with Mycology vision/mission and lead proposal developmentAssist//provide technical and writing assistance on proposalsIdentify, build and maintain working relationships with national and global partners, including donors, government and other relevant stakeholdersStaff management:Support the lab staff and scientists in managing workload and research prioritiesGuidance and development of lab research agendas and participation in conferencesAttend to all lab staffing requirements and administration including induction, probation and disciplineEnsure that the performance management system is in place and implementedEnsure that all lab employees are developed to their full potential and explore external opportunities for developmentEnsure that lab staff is trained and capacitated to achieve organisational goalsMonitor, evaluate and manage the lab team performance through implementing the HR policy, implementing performance processesBioinformatics workflows:Run bioinformatics workflows and scripts to analyse next-generation sequencing dataContributing to assembling of whole genome sequences with currently established workflowsTraining staff/students/collaborators with bioinformatics skillsRequired minimum education and training:PhD in Medical Microbiology with ± 5 years' experience in microbiology and molecular laboratory managementHPCSA registered and competent to authorise and sign out diagnostic samples would be an advantageExperience with NGS specifically, Illumina sequencing platforms/any other NGS platform experience is an advantage2-3 years' experience with diagnostic samples and activities in an accredited routine diagnostic environmentFoundational bioinformatics experienceRequired minimum work experience:At least 5 years' experience in microbiology and molecular laboratory managementExperience as a PI or co-PI (in leading lab projects, on research grants)/ and in a microbiology/molecular biology laboratoryDesirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:Experience in data capturing and management of dataExperience in a clinical or research microbiology laboratoryExperience in nucleic acid extraction from various specimens and microorganismsExperience in PCR (conventional and real-time PCR)Experience in training of technologists, scientists and supervision of studentsExperience in assay development and validationExperience in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of microorganisms using various bioinformatics tools desiredMust have good laboratory practice, quality assurance and laboratory accreditationCompletion of Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) courses will be advantageousMust have clinical trials exposure with LDMS and LIMS understandingGrant writing skills & Academic writing skillsProject management experience will be advantageousFinancial and budgeting understandingMust be able to self-driven, multitask, assertive and customer orientatedAbility to operate in a pressurized environmentExcellent MS Office SkillsGood Interpersonal and communication skills with both internal and external stakeholdersMust be a team player and show initiativeIncumbent to be a well-organized person and pay attention to detailTO APPLY:Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.Please Apply Online and complete your registration on Ditto Hire (our application tracking system) to enable and protect you as a candidate to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions. This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL. However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market.Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.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.Please note:AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates. Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.