ThaiNGO

Job Summary

We are seeking a Laboratory Lead to work for the USAID-funded Discovery and Exploration of Emerging Pathogens – Viral Zoonoses (DEEP VZN) project. DEEP VZN is a five-year project that will build scientific capacity in partner countries to safely detect and characterize unknown viruses which have the potential to spill over from wildlife and domestic animals to human populations. With up to twelve (12) countries, the project will carry out large-scale animal surveillance programs focusing on finding previously unknown pathogens from three viral families that have a large potential for viral spillover from animals to humans: coronaviruses, the family that includes SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19; filoviruses, such as the Ebola virus; and paramyxoviruses which includes the viruses that cause measles and Nipah.

We are seeking a Laboratory Lead, with a technical background in laboratory science or biomedical laboratory science, to direct and coordinate all laboratory components of the DEEP VZN project in Thailand, with a strong emphasis on capacity building and direct management of all laboratory activities. The Laboratory Lead will take a leading role in the coordination and implementation of all aspects of the DEEP VZN laboratory activities, providing technical oversight to build effective capacity for state-of-the-art molecular detection and characterization of novel viruses in-country. The selected candidate will work to ensure activities are conducted under strict biosafety and biosecurity procedures that are compliant with required standards dictated by USAID. Additionally, the Laboratory Lead will work closely with the sampling team to ensure effective curation and safe transport of all samples, and with the data management teams to ensure safe and appropriate storage of data and its integration with the field sampling data.   

Responsibilities include 

• Serve as technical point of contact at the country level for the laboratory component of the DEEP VZN project. This includes providing overall technical leadership during planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of the DEEP VZN laboratory capacity building, biosafety and biosecurity (BSBS) strengthening, and robust conduct of novel virus detection and characterization
• Oversee the implementation of in-country capacity building activities, including the procurement and installation of equipment, based on the findings from in-depth assessment of local laboratory partners
• Work with DEEP VZN reference laboratories to adapt project SOPs to country context and establish nucleic acid extraction, quantitative RT-PCR, whole genome sequencing, and ELISA serologic testing at participating laboratories
• Work with DEEP VZN’s working groups to establish biosafety and biosecurity and data management plans for participating laboratories
• Work closely with the Country Data Manager to establish new, or adapt existing, laboratory information systems for management of local DEEP VZN laboratory data and ensure its interoperability with global DEEP VZN data management systems
• Support local implementing partner to recruit, train, and supervise laboratory staff to be competent in specimen receiving and biobanking, nucleic acid extraction, real-time RT-PCR, fragment and full genome sequencing of viral genomes, and ELISA serological techniques in coordination with US reference laboratory staff
• Provide ongoing monitoring and oversight of specimen management activities to ensure compliance with DEEP VZN project plans and procedures including Biosafety and Biosecurity
• Facilitate access and transfer of prioritized bio-bank specimens in which access is granted to the DEEP VZN project
• Oversee DEEP VZN testing/characterization assays performed by local implementing partner to ensure timely reporting of results as required by the project
• Oversee work at DEEP VZN’s reference laboratories to receive, test, and report proficiency panels, and use other QA/QC measures as identified by the in-country team to ensure the quality of testing
• Become a competent in-country trainer on BSBS, and establish other training-of-trainers that can conduct routine refresher courses
• Become a competent in-country trainer on good laboratory practice (GCLP) and establish other training-of-trainers that can conduct routine refresher courses
• Ensure all staff working in the laboratory are annually certified for GCLP and BSBS
• In collaboration with global technical teams, develop safe and efficient strategies to transport samples from laboratory to local, regional, or international reference laboratories
• Work collaboratively with in-country sampling teams to ensure the proper receipt, curation and storage of all samples including compliance with DEEP VZN biosecurity/biosafety plans 
• Establish and manage a good equipment maintenance program, including annual calibrations, certifications, and service contracts
• Establish and manage good laboratory reagent ordering and inventory systems that ensures no work-stoppage due to stockouts and where possible no expiration of reagents
• Liaise with in-country finance and administration teams to develop and manage annual budgets for detection and characterization activities 
• Understand and ensure compliance with IRB/IACUC and other approvals 
• Work collaboratively with the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team and associated technical staff to develop and implement MEL plans related for detection and characterization activities in country 
• Prepare and/or contribute to routine (monthly, quarterly, and annual) and ad hoc project reports for detection and characterization collection activities 

Qualifications  

• Master’s degree in relevant biomedical laboratory sciences  
• At least eight years of laboratory management experience. Demonstrated management experience in laboratory managed by international partners would be an advantage
• Working knowledge of key areas such as molecular biology, serology, and genomics 
• Prior experience working in global health security or surveillance of infectious disease preferred
• Excellent written and spoken English and Thai  
• Strong writing skills; demonstrated experience writing reports for USAID or other international donors and/or scientific publications highly preferred 
• Willingness and ability to travel in country, including to remote areas, with occasional regional or international travel as needed 
• Must have legal authorization to work in Thailand 

Travel Requirements: 

• Up to 15% national and/or international travel 

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume by clicking HERE.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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