Laboratory Assistant

Overview

The Laboratory Assistant will manage the reception, registration, and traceability of epidemiological and entomological samples, and perform pre-analytical and analytical laboratory procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages the reception, registration and trace ability of incoming epidemiological and entomological samples, ensuring compliance with established standards for collection, preservation, packaging and shipment, and maintaining proper chain-of-custody procedures.
• Performs pre-analytical and analytical laboratory procedures, including preparation and processing of samples, operation, calibration and basic trouble shooting of laboratory equipment, and provides support to molecular analysis workflows such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays used in onchocerciasis surveillance.
• Contributes to vector processing and identification activities, including the application of cytotaxonomy techniques where applicable, ensuring that all laboratory work is conducted in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Supports the implementation of quality assurance systems by maintaining laboratory records and log books, verifying quality controls, ensuring adherence to biosafety standards, and contributing to validation and reliability of laboratory results.
• Maintains laboratory inventories, including reagents, consumables, equipment and sample repositories, and supports routine laboratory operations such as equipment maintenance and calibration, cold chain monitoring, waste management, and preparation for audits and quality assessments.
• Collaborates with the ESPEN laboratory team and other WHO units in the interpretation and verification of laboratory outputs, ensuring accuracy and consistency of results shared with Member States.
• Contributes to country support and capacity-building activities by participating in training, mentorship and technical assistance initiatives aimed at strengthening national laboratory capacities in molecular diagnostics and surveillance.
• Perform other related duties as required or instructed, including providing support to other areas of work.

Required Experience

10 years of experience in the field of molecular testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test using the pool screening method for blackflies. Experience in identification of onchocerciasis vectors by cytotaxonomy would be an asset.

Qualifications

Completion of secondary education, supplemented by training in the field of molecular biology. University degree in biological sciences/molecular biology and certifications/attestations of training in laboratory quality management systems would be an asset.

Other Details