Job Description

Description:
We are seeking for an enthusiastic, curious, and determined research associate with a proven record track and expertise in preparing genomic libraries for NGS microbial (TB/HIV) genomics, bioinformatics & biostatistics tools as well as expertise in innovative molecular biology and TB diagnostic technologies as well as hands-on experience with NGS and NGS applications (e.g. library preparation, target enrichment, and sequencing). Experience in microbial (TB/HIV) genomic data analysis and machine learning methods is required. S/he is expected to have a proven track record of publishing scientific results in peer-reviewed journals. S/he will be responsible for overall management of the project team and provide oversight of the research interventions through the project management team. This includes managing a team of junior staff and students. She or he will be required to enhance or develop advanced research tools, procedures or techniques and will liaise with stakeholders on operational aspects. Other necessary skills of the Research Associate include the ability to contribute meaningful ideas, work productively with other research team members as well as on independent assignments and supervise junior staff. The successful candidate will manage and provide a day-to-day management laboratory activities in-person of the Welcome Trust funded Cross-AAPs acceleration of genomics for escalating infectious diseases (CAGED) Study and other related projects conducted at AHRI-Durban, in close liaison with the principal investigators.
Overview of Duties:
Overview of duties:

• Oversee processes and deliver on timely study milestones for the CAGED-TB study and other related projects. Conduct or supervision of all aspects of the 'omics and systems serology analyses, may include supervision of a Junior Research Associate.
• Coordinating the study team, including data management, data analysis, project management and clinical teams.
• Assisting with the designing, enrolling and follow up of patient cohorts relevant to the TB research agenda.
• Design and perform experiments in collaboration with scientists and bioinformaticians, under strict timelines.
• Perform molecular biology techniques and hands-on experience with methods for manipulating and analysing nucleic acids (e.g. DNA/RNA extraction, purification and quantification, PCR, enzymatic assays, hybridization and primer design).
• Evaluate, optimize and troubleshoot NGS-based workflows and assays to improve performance
• Conduct wet-laboratory experiments including library preparation, target enrichment, TB genome sequencing and analyse sequenced TB genome data using bioinformatic tools.
• Document experimental designs and results; keep excellent records and data.
• Analyze experimental data to provide recommendations for the next experimental steps.
• Present and communicate experimental results to multidisciplinary team members.
• Support the larger team in various lab/day-to-day operations and activities in CAGED-TB study and related projects.
• Have strong organisational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects and prioritise workloads.
• Scientific communication via teleconference, conference calls, local meetings with local and long-distance collaborators.
• Supervision and/or co-supervision of students, postdoctoral fellows, junior and visiting scientists.
• Coordinate and responsible for content of project specific communications including progress reports to the funder, agendas for scientific meetings and scientific outputs. Assist the Pl with organization and implementation of research projects such as reporting on the status of various research tasks and identifying ways to improve research design.
• Assist the Pl with other research projects and educational activities as requested. Prepare clearly written technical and analytical reports.
• As active members of a team of researchers, associates are responsible for a wide variety of tasks related to a project, including planning and assisting with data collection; data analysis; and writing and disseminating research results.
• Plans schedule according to variety of methods to be used, availability and quantity of resources, and number of subordinate personnel assigned to participate in project.
• Conducts research, utilizing institution library, archives, and collections, and other sources of information, to collect, record, analyse, and evaluate facts. Discusses findings with other personnel to evaluate validity of findings.
• Prepares reports of completed projects for publication in technical journals, for use in further applied or theoretical research activities.
• Assists with the updating and maintenance of SOPs. Ensures the maintenance of complete and clear laboratory notebooks; generates lab progress reports, study protocols, and study reports. Strives to maintain a productive publication record.
• Write grants to ensure future funding of work.
• Presents work at and attends national and international scientific meetings to disseminate research findings.
• Ensures financial accountability and progress reports on own grant and associated cost centres. Responsible for scientific content of monthly and annual project meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Microbiology/Medical Sciences/Molecular Biology with an emphasis on Microbial Genetics/Genomics or other relevant discipline.
• Record of scholarly publications, including two first-authored scientific journal articles.

Minimum Experience:

• Extensive experience in microbiology, medical sciences, molecular and/cell biology, bioinformatics and biostatistics competence.
• Minimum of 5 years related experience (post-grad).
• At least three years of post-doctoral research experience with a strong focus on microbial genomics particularly TB or HIV genomics.
• Proven experience with wet lab and sequencing platforms such as Illumina, PacBio etc, and sequencing workflows, including establishment, optimization, troubleshooting and data analysis.
• Extensive experience in investigating, upgrading and validating bioinformatics workflows for data processing, phylogenetic and transmission dynamics analysis
• Have experience in successful communication of complex scientific data to non-specialists.
• Have experience in command-line environment, in both Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Have experience writing code in a programming language such as Python, shell scripting, R etc..
• An experience in mentoring junior staff and students collaborating in interdisciplinary teams.
• An experience in securing research funding is highly desirable.
• A strong publication record with at least two peer-reviewed publications as a first author in relevant journals.
• Have strong organisational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects and prioritise workloads.

Skills Required:

• Good verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Accuracy and precision.
• High computer literacy.
• Report writing.
• Must be able to work under pressure.

Worker Type: Employee
The application closing date: 30 Jan 2026
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.

Skills Required