FIND Hiring for Lab Technician at Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra Full Time

WGS Lab Technologist

About Organization:

FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, seeks to ensure equitable access to reliable diagnosis around the world. We connect countries and communities, funders, decision makers, healthcare providers and developers to spur diagnostic innovation and make testing an integral part of sustainable, resilient health systems. We are working to save 1 million lives through accessible, quality diagnosis, and save US$1 billion in healthcare costs to patients and health systems. We are co-convener of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator diagnostics pillar, and a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Strengthening and Diagnostic Technology Evaluation

FIND India, with its office in New Delhi, is an independent non-profit organization created under Section 8 of the Indian Companies Act, 2013. The organization is dedicated to activities focused on introducing and expanding quality assured, rapid, accurate and accessible diagnostic solutions for several infectious and non-communicable diseases. FIND India has undertaken several projects focused on TB, viral hepatitis C, COVID-19 and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Your mission/Overall objective:

Under Revised National TB Control Program (RNTCP) of India, there are 74 RNTCP certified TB C&DST labs (across public, NGO and private sector) and the network is expected to expand further. Staff at these TB C&DST laboratories are trained at national level at National Reference Laboratories (at least one master trainer from each lab). These master trainers in turn conduct state/on-site training. On-site trainings are resource intensive and require substantial planning and cost. In the RNTCP, on an average, there is 20% attrition of staff across the country (annual) and hence the need for regular training for new recruits. Mechanisms for training need assessment, and reorientation of existing staff are being improved. Further, with the expansion of programme, RNTCP’s training needs are continuously increasing which underlines the need for developing and implementing innovative and cost-effective approaches to training. Under Global Fund Project, FIND will be strengthening capacity building of 5 Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) labs to make them centres of excellence, to gather and analyse sequencing data for drug resistant TB surveillance in India.

For more information about the organization, please visit http://www.finddx.org/

Locations: J.J. Mumbai Delhi

Job Description/ Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Work under direct supervision of lab supervisors to operate Miseq Illumina sequencer and/or other sequencing platforms and carry out all laboratory activities related to sequencing to generate TB surveillance data. (training is provided)

2. Perform TB genome sequencing work that include TB culture and DST, nucleic acid extraction, DNA/RNA purification and quantitation, primers and probe designing, RT-PCR, Library preparation, sequencing, preparation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) & Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), etc.

3. Provide support in routine WGS lab process, equipment maintenance including temperature monitoring, reagent preparation, washing/cleaning of equipment, equipment calibration, etc.

4. Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance, take authorized corrective action, and notify it to key individuals

5. Follow good lab practices, lab biosafety and regulatory policies, including handling hazardous materials and wearing of PPE that are relative to assigned work

6. Maintain all the paperwork, record/logbooks & documentation part, preparation of SOPs etc. as per lab protocols

7. Maintain stock inventory, WGS equipment inventory, equipment AMC schedule etc.

8. Data collection from various WGS experiments performed in the lab, compilation of all the data, data entry, data cleaning, regular data backup etc.

9. Contribute to bioinformatic analysis

10. Review project progress and provide technical support in line with various pre-identified targets. Support supervisors, microbiologists and Lab staff for all laboratory operations as per need, preparing periodic surveillance data reports, presentations and publications in the prescribed formats; etc

11. Collaborate effectively with project team, participate in trainings, meetings, online discussions etc.

12. Undertaking any other job assigned by site in charge/ microbiologists and the FIND technical team, as per project needs.

Desirable qualification/Skills and Experience:

Applicant must meet the following qualification requirements: Masters’ Degree in Science with a specialization in Microbiology / molecular biology / genetics /biotechnology with or without Medical Lab Technology, or higher qualification with minimum 2 years of experience of working in sequencing labs; advanced training in genomics can help to set a candidate apart from others in a job search for a senior lab technician position.

Skills and Attitude:

(1) Experience with wet lab molecular biology techniques and using basic lab equipment

(2) Experience of molecular biology, microbiology, infectious diseases including TB

(3) Ability to work independently and as a part of a team, with minimum handholding and supervision

(4) Good oral and written communication skills; experience of data entry, data management and working with excel genomics is strongly desired

(5) Ability to learn new technologies, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, and keep accurate records, is plus

(6) Professional, passionate, energetic and confident

Nature of appointment:

The selected candidate shall be initially offered a fixed term employment contract until 31 March 2024. The position will be prolonged depending upon donor approval and requirement.

Compensation offered:

FIND India offers a competitive salary and shall be commensurate with the skill and experience of the selected candidate

Deadline to send your application:

Please mail a motivation letter, a detailed resume and three references to HR-IN(at)finddx.org

Kindly add the below required information in your CV:

1. Current CTC:

2. Expected CTC:

3. Notice period required with the current organization:

Due to high applicant volume, you may not receive a response from FIND India. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. (But don’t wait until the deadline! We will start screening right away and if we find the right person, we will stop searching)

Job Types: Full-time, Regular / Permanent

Salary: ₹30,000.00 – ₹32,000.00 per month

Benefits:

• Cell phone reimbursement
• Health insurance
• Internet reimbursement
• Leave encashment
• Provident Fund

Schedule:

• Day shift

COVID-19 considerations:
All the applicants should by fully vaccinated, should wear mask, ensure to follow the guidelines issued by GoI.

Education:

• Master’s (Preferred)

Experience:

• total work: 2 years (Required)
• working in sequencing labs; advanced training in genomics: 2 years (Required)

Application Deadline: 08/02/2022
Expected Start Date: 01/03/2022