Scientific Officer, NPHL

JOB SUMMARY

To conduct surveillance and/or outbreak investigation that is of public health importance. The person will review publication in related fields, independently design, plan and supervise experiments/projects, supervise medical technologists and graduate students. The staff should develop scientific expertise in specialized field and also develop new methods for infectious disease diagnosis, analyse data and prepare presentation and write papers for publication. The position will involve both management and bench-level activities, as well as interactions with collaborators.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SPECIFIC
1. Designs, develops and maintains laboratory tests for surveillance projects and investigation of outbreaks.
2. Compiles results and submits regular surveillance reports.
3. Supervises medical technologists, including answering technical enquiries, troubleshooting, and applying quality controls.
4. Supervises graduate students and others on attachment.
5. Develops, evaluates and optimizes new assays, procedures or methods.
6. Assists Deputy/HOD and MOH to coordinate outbreak investigation.
7. Validates results and designs, establishes and monitors internal quality control and external quality assurance programs to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of test results.
8. Reviews and updates manuals and protocols in time to maintain service quality.
9. Assists Deputy/HOD, Laboratory Manager and Safety Officer in preparing for department inspection conducted by various licensing, regulatory and accrediting agencies.
10. Assists in Biosafety Committee to conduct risk assessments, devise on measures for biosafety management. Assists Deputy/HOD to formulate policies, programmes and codes of laboratory activities and safety training.
11. Performs risk assessment of procedures to be conducted in the laboratory and ensure that these comply with Workplace Safety and Health Act.
12. Assists Deputy/HOD to apply grants from funding authorities like NMRC, BMRC etc.
13. Collaborates actively with local and foreign laboratories
14. Provides expert input on the scientific developments, including assessment of diagnostics of pathogens, evaluations of new technique and comparison of medical devices, methodologies and proposals.


GENERAL
1. Complies with all safety, ethical and infection control polices and standard procedures of NPHL, DLM, TTSH and MOH Biosafety Branch.
2. Participates productively in laboratory team meeting
3. Assists in laboratory operations, such as testing, selecting, and ordering supplies, reagents, kits and equipment.
4. Performs overtime work or duty on weekends/public holidays when necessary to fulfil the responsibilities of the laboratory.
5. Any other task deemed appropriate by supervisors, Deputy/HOD or Director of CDD (MOH)
 
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Ph.D in Microbiology, Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Infectious Diseases or equivalent preferred
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in Molecular Biology /Clinical Diagnosis / Infectious Disease related work
- Ability to lead research project independently and work in a team
- Good oral and written communication skills