Overview:

The COVID-19 epidemic has posed a huge challenge to healthcare delivery systems all across the world and threatens progress against HIV, TB and Malaria. In the current situation, developing countries are battling to keep healthcare services available to the most vulnerable sectors of the population while also preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Global Fund has provided C19RM Funding to Pakistan to fight against COVID-19 and mitigate its impact on fight against three diseases. C19RM funds provide an opportunity to invest in building up the capabilities of health systems across a range of potential epidemic scenarios, strengthening resilience and preparing for the next pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic is evolving and so should C19RM investments in all thematic areas including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Jhpiego Pakistan, An Affiliate of Johns Hopkins University USA, is seeking following job positions to provide technical assistance (TA) to Public Health Lab division at National Institute of Health-Pakistan & Global Fund’s Principal & Sub-recipients to improve Lab diagnostics, disease surveillance and bioinformatics. This assistance will help ensure that Global Fund’s C19RM re-investment’s utilization is optimized and will further enable NIH Pakistan and other PRs to achieve both technical, strategic and financial milestones of C19RM grant and ensure funds are absorbed and are used for the purpose they are intended by redirecting funds to achieve impactful & priority improvements in Lab diagnostics & NGS.

These are contractual positions based in Islamabad with occasional travel required (if any) to provinces and is extendable based on availability of funding and scope of work.

Job Positions:

1.   Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Advisor:

The incumbent will be required to provide technical assistance and oversight in genomic sequencing and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases and provide further support as follows:

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement genomic analytical solutions for pathogen identification.
• Identify and implement new technologies to accelerate NGS workflows.
• Responsible for data accumulation, data analysis and interpretation.
• Provide technical support to existing methods and analysis solutions.
• Write technical reports and method/instrument SOPs.
• Perform Method and instrument qualification and validation.
• De Novo assembly, reference mapping, and statistics of NGS data.
• Perform Molecular evaluation
• Any other task assigned by supervisor/higher authority.

Qualification and Experience:

• PhD in Genetics/Genomics/Molecular Biology/Microbiology/Virology (or related fields).
• At least 9-10 years’ experience after post-graduation across progressively incremental levels of portfolios related to management, research, and technical expertise in the field of virology/microbiology.
• Extensive experience in Next Generation Sequencing in particular of microorganisms related wet lab and bioinformatics expertise.
• Excellent communication/presentation skills.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
• At least ten (10) original research peer-reviewed publications in the field of virology/ microbiology in last five (05) years

2.   Biomedical Engineer

The incumbent will be required to assist and oversee the installation and maintenance of equipment including NGS machines at the Department of Virology procured in the C19RM project/s under the supervision of Officer In-charge, Department of Virology, NIH.

Responsibilities:

• Approves new equipment by conducting tests, ensuring adherence to SOPs, and making modifications.
• Installs new equipment by establishing, adjusting, calibrating, and testing performance.
• Maintains equipment by completing preventive maintenance schedules, conducting tests and troubleshooting and repairing malfunctions.
• Calls for special equipment service, evaluates service contracts and maintains equipment inventories.
• Maintains supplies inventory by checking stock, anticipating needs, placing, and expediting orders
• Prepares biomedical reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Maintains safe and healthy working environment by conducting safety tests, recommending, and complying with procedures, training, and guiding personnel.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualification and Experience:

• MS/M.Phil. in Biomedical Engineering (or related fields)
• 5-6 years’ experience after post-graduation in installing, testing, calibrating, and repairing biomedical equipment; training users; maintaining safe operations

3.   Biostatistician

Responsibilities:

• Designs, analyzes, implements, and reports findings on statistical data available/generated during the project.
• Works with investigators to formalize analysis plans and reporting specifications; advises as to choose of statistical analysis strategies, reliability of measurements and identifiability of models, and interpretation and presentation of statistical results.
• Assists in the preparation of scientific abstracts, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and responses.
• Uses a variety of advanced statistical software, methods, and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret research data to derive useful information for research data; advises and assists in the development of inferences and conclusions, as appropriate.

Qualification and Experience:

• MS/M.Phil. in Biostatistics/Stats (or related fields) with 5-6 years of proven experience after post-graduation research related data analytics. Knowledge and expertise of latest statistical tools will be an added advantage.

4.   Medical Lab Technologists (2 Positions)

Responsibilities:

• The incumbent will be required to support laboratory activities related to PCR and whole-genome sequencing.
• Collects, processes, and handles biological specimens according to established procedures.
• Performs a variety of laboratory tests in the areas of Virology, PCR & WGS.
• Performs quality control on test results, ensuring validity and accuracy.
• Performs calibration and troubleshooting on testing systems and instruments to ensure adherence to established standards of accuracy.
• Keeps records and reports on results according to established procedures.
• Practices safety, environmental, and/or infection control methods.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualification and Experience:

• BS in Medical Lab Technology/Biotechnology/Molecular Biology/Microbiology.
• 5-6 years of hands-on experience in a molecular laboratory with hands-on experience in basic Molecular techniques.

5.   Research Associates (2 Positions)

Responsibilities:

The incumbent will be required to undertake following activities:

• Analyzing and interpreting the results generated during the project in consultation with NGS/Bioinformatics experts.
• Conduct literature reviews, writing up research articles, preprints, reports for publication.

Qualification and Experience:

• MS/M.Phil. in Molecular Biology/Biotechnology/Genomics/Microbiology/Bioinformatics (or related fields).
• 3-5 years’ of experience after post-graduation in the field of microbiology/viral genomics.