RISE Program Job Vacancy: Laboratory Technician, Makassar - South Sulawesi

Post Title: RISE Laboratory Technician 
Program: Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE)

Reporting to: (1st) Assessment Team Leader; 
(2nd) RISE Indonesia Coordinator

Strong working relations to: 

• Objective 2 & 3 Leaders; 
• UNHAS Lab Manager 
• UNHAS Senior Lead/Oversight

Duty Station: Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
Duration: 6 months, extendable based on performance 

Number of posts: 2

Background:

The Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) program aims to demonstrate a new approach to water and sanitation management in urban informal settlements. RISE is an action-research program utilizing a randomized control trial (RCT) methodology involving 24 informal settlements (12 in each country). The RISE theory of change is that the water sensitive cities (WSC) approach can interrupt the fecal-oral transmission route, resulting in an improvement in human gastrointestinal health, especially for children under 5 years of age. The overall aim of RISE is to improve the lives of men and women, boys and girls in informal settlements through improvements in human health and the environment by adopting a water sensitive cities (WSC) approach to informal settlement upgrading. The Expected outcome is to provide the evidence that a localised, water-sensitive approach to upgrading informal settlements can deliver sustainable, cost-effective improvements in health and the environment as a complementary to ‘big pipes’ in the Asia-Pacific, paving the way for further deployments in the region and globally.

Key responsibilities:

Undertake environmental and human biological sample processing pertaining to Objective 2 (Environmental) and Objective 3 (Human Health) activities

• Sorting, identification, and preservation of mosquito samples
• Obtain blood or other tissues samples from anaesthetized or euthanized rodents
• Process tissue samples for shipment and pathogen testing
• Undertake routine water toxicity assessments using Deltatox II equipment
• Prepare all reagents required for sample processing, as required
• Prepare blood and feces sample collection kits, as required
• Analysis of human blood and feces samples 
• Maintain accurate records of all samples and ensure sample traceability
• Perform quality control and quality assurance procedures in keeping with SOPs
  

Perform laboratory based sample analysis procedures

• Perform meticulous sample handling and manipulations in compliance with the standard operating procedures provided by researchers. In particular, 
• Procedures associated with the isolation of microorganisms and DNA/RNA from water, soil and faecal samples.
• Performance of microscopy (Kato Katz) analyses of faecal samples for soil-transmitted helminths.
• Procedures associated with the processing and preservation of blood samples.
• Operate and maintain specialist laboratory equipment including but not limited to filtering apparatus, vacuum manifolds and DNA/RNA isolation equipment, microscopes, autoclave, centrifuges.
• Undertake associated quality assurance and quality control procedures set out by lead researchers.
• Receive all samples and initialise them using the laboratory information management system (LIMS) 

Lead in the preparation of samples for international transport

• Undertake associated administrative tasks including the preparation of permits, sample reconciliation, confirmation of sample transport and receipt in associated countries
• Undertake the organization of international couriers for appropriate transport of fragile samples
  

Lead in-laboratory data management activities

• Undertake a range of administrative tasks including stock management, equipment maintenance, and service reconciliations.
• Undertake management and maintenance of laboratory sample registers. 
• Build and sustain effective working relationships with a network of internal and external clients and contacts; in particular field staff and RISE researchers.
• Support in the analysis and communication of results to central databases and with associated research staff.
  

Support and collaborate with other Lab staff 

• All laboratory technicians should work collaboratively with other members of the Assessment Team in performing all laboratory and assessment-related activity and support each other in carrying out their duties.
  

Key result areas: 

Timely achievement of all assessment activities and outputs

Required qualifications and experience:

• A Bachelor degree (or higher) in science, or a related discipline. Preference will be given to those with a Bachelors or higher degree majoring in biological or microbiological sciences. 
  

At least two years of experience in:

• A microbiology laboratory that handled either environmental or clinical samples 
• Good laboratory practice and safe handling of equipment and samples;
• Basic laboratory equipment use, such as autoclaves, centrifuges, microscopes, incubators etc., including related maintenance and record keeping activities
• Performance of Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities
• Writing and /or following standard operating procedures.
  

Essential: 

• A willingness to receive instruction in laboratory techniques and to participate in relevant training programs
• A willingness to work outside of standard hours (9.00am – 5.00pm) to accommodate early/late arrival of samples
• A willingness to work flexibly within the laboratory environment and to participate in the rotation of tasks with other laboratory technicians
  

Desirable but not essential: Experience with, or appropriate training in: 

• Performing molecular microbiological testing in a commercial, research or government institution.
• Using microscopes (ocular and light microscopes)
• Performing Kato Katz determinations
  

Fluency in English is highly desirable.

How to Apply: 
Send complete application materials to Ibu Fitriyanty A. Awaluddin at fitriyanty.rise@gmail.com with the appropriate Position Title in the Subject Line.

Deadline: 16 November 2018 (early applicants will be considered first).