THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
CALL FOR INTERNSHIP POSITIONS

BACKGROUND

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a Parastatal Organization under the Ministry of Health established by the Act of Parliament No. 23 of 1979 which became operational in 1980. The Institute is mandated to carry out, control, coordinate, register, monitor, evaluate and promote health research in Tanzania. The establishment of this Institute was in recognition by the Government of the need to generate scientific data and information required in the development of better methods and techniques for improving disease management, prevention and control in Tanzania.

NIMR in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) in May 2020 to undertake the project on “Molecular Surveillance of malaria parasite populations and drug resistance to support malaria control and elimination in Tanzania”. This is a 3.5-year project which is based at NIMR Headquarters in Dar es Salaam. It covers 13 regions in mainland Tanzania with different malaria transmission intensities. They include Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Kagera, Kilimanjaro, Kigoma, Manyara, Mara, Mtwara, Njombe, Ruvuma, Songwe, Tabora and Tanga. The project aims at undertaking studies on population genetics of malaria parasites, drug resistance markers and surveillance of histidine rich protein 2/3 (hrp2/3) gene deletions. The project also has supportive and logistics aims which include training and leadership development for sustainability of MSMT, Stakeholders’ engagement, and developing a data access and management.

POSTS: INTERNSHIP AS LABORATORY SCIENTISTS (4 positions)

JOB SUMMARY

The main role of the internship as Laboratory scientists will be to undertake training for performing routine and specialized tasks related to the execution of laboratory procedures for the project. The positions entail working under the supervision of experienced laboratory scientist and researchers in the provision of technical support and advice related to sample collection, processing, analysis and storage in accordance with the requirements of Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) together with agreed professional and project standards and guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Laboratory Sciences or Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from a recognized university and attained in the past three years.
Applicants should have good theoretical and practical knowledge of different molecular biology techniques. Good working skills in genomics and/or bioinformatics will be an added advantage
Demonstration of practical and technical abilities to collect and, process research samples, analyze and report test results will be an added advantage.
Applicants should have complex problem-solving skills, decision-making, critical thinking, time-management, and team working skills.
Applicants must have the ability to work well under full supervision but demonstrate and an ability to move to partial or no supervision, good verbal, and written communication skills.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Successful candidates will get training and work under the supervision of experienced laboratory scientists and researchers in performing the following duties and responsibilities.

Train in sample collection, processing, and analysis in accordance with the needs of the project and routine in/outpatient specimens
Training in preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment to ensure procedure is carried out as planned
Take part in activities that will ensure all specimens delivered to the laboratory are processed and all test results are recorded according to SOPs
Under the supervision of senior staff to ensure storage and location of records of specimens are conducted in accordance with SOPs
Take part planning and performing routine and specialized technical procedures required by the project including troubleshooting and resolving technical problems
Assist in maintaining standards and cleanliness of laboratory equipment in accordance with engineer’s advice, guidelines, and equipment’s manual
Take part in activities that will ensure effective communication with project, hospital staff and field teams so as to get all the collected information for laboratory records
Participate in quality control programs as required by GCLP to ensure reliability of testing procedures, proper function of laboratory equipment and compliance with relevant regulations
Assist the laboratory team in complying with internal and external regulatory authorities by adhering to quality controls, health and safety and inspection control practices
Be able to work on-call duties when required to do so.
Performing any other duties as may be assigned by the Project Principal Investigator and other superiors of NIMR

REMUNERATION AND DURATION OF THE INTERNSHIP
Successful applicants will receive free training and are therefore expected to cover their living and other expenses during the duration of the training. The appointment will be for a period of six months which can be extended only once based on the performance and availability of positions.