Baylor is seeking a motivated and skilled wet bench Wastewater Sequencing Laboratory Technician to join our innovative project focused on advancing wastewater surveillance for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in high-burden settings. The successful candidate will perform next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques and polymerase chain reaction for detecting and quantifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and HIV from wastewater samples, as well as other pathogens of public health concern. This role will be crucial in establishing a robust wastewater testing pipeline and developing targeted public health interventions.

Location: Siteki (Primary work station: Eswatini Public Health and Surveillance Laboratory) with some lab work/meetings in Mbabane.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct wet bench laboratory work, including nucleic acid extraction, real-time quantitative PCR, and probe enrichment sequencing for HIV and Mtb, as well as other bacterial and viral pathogens, from wastewater samples.
• Implement and optimize protocols for sample collection, preparation, and analysis to ensure reliable and accurate detection of pathogens. Help to establish the wastewater sequencing pipeline at the Eswatini Public Health and Surveillance Laboratory
• Coordinate wastewater collection with the department of water affairs.
• Evaluate potential confounding factors (e.g., wastewater flow, inhibitors, turbidity, pH) on the detection of Mtb and HIV.
• Maintain quality control measures, including processing biologic and technical replicates and using positive and negative controls.
• Engage in lab meetings to report on progress

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

 Master’s Degree Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or Virology with focus on pathogen or environmental sequencing or Bachelor’s/Technical Degree with greater than 2 years of demonstrated experience with molecular methods (sequencing preferred)

 Skills/Abilities/Aptitudes Requirements:

• Fluency in English
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.
• Experience in wet bench research, including molecular techniques such as PCR, qPCR, NGS, and nucleic acid extraction.
• Previous experience with wastewater or environmental microbiology research is a plus.

 Special Requirements

• Ability to pay attention to detail
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed

Applications

Applications to be addressed to the Executive Director, Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation- Eswatini, and sent ONLY by email to: hr@baylorfoundationeswatini.org citing the position applied for, your Name and Surname in the email subject.

All applications should be accompanied by a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV) and certified copies of certificates. Faxed applications, posted or hand delivered applications will NOT be considered. No calls. Only short- listed candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline: 14^th October 2024.

Baylor Foundation Eswatini is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Baylor Foundation Eswatini ’s recruitment and selection policies and procedures reflect our commitment to the safety of children.  Any appointment is subject to commitment to our Child Protection Policy, satisfactory references and criminal record disclosure.