Job Summary
The Molecular Virologist (P3) will support routine and surge molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, and sequencing activities for responses to Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV) outbreaks and other priority pathogens. The role will serve as a key link between the assigned National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and the Africa CDC Reference Laboratory, coordinating sample referral and testing, strengthening laboratory quality management systems, and supporting biosafety, biosecurity, training, and technical capacity building. The successful candidates will contribute to improved diagnostic and sequencing capabilities, timely disease detection, and effective public health emergency preparedness and response.
Main Functions
The primary purpose of this role is to support routine and surge molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, and sequencing activities for the response to BDBV outbreaks and other priority pathogens. The Molecular Virologists will serve as key links between the NPHLs and the Africa CDC Reference Laboratory, ensuring effective coordination, timely sample referral and testing, and the exchange of critical laboratory information. Through the provision of advanced technical expertise, they will strengthen national laboratory capacity, enhance diagnostic and sequencing capabilities, and support timely detection, characterization, and response to public health threats.
This position aims to strengthen national and continental laboratory capacity and capabilities for the timely detection, characterization and response to outbreaks, through advanced molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, laboratory quality management, and oversight of biosafety and biosecurity, as well as technical mentorship.
Specific Responsibilities
- Outbreak Response and Emergency Support
Serve as the primary technical focal point between the NPHLs in the assigned Member State and the Africa CDC Reference Laboratory during the current EDVB outbreak response and other public health emergencies.
Support routine and surge molecular testing activities during outbreaks and public health emergencies, ensuring timely and accurate diagnostic services.
Participate in emergency response operations, including extended working hours, field deployments, and other surge-response activities as required.
Coordinate the safe, timely, and efficient referral, transport, and tracking of specimens from peripheral testing sites to the NPHL and, when necessary, to the Africa CDC Reference Laboratory.
Support forecasting, inventory management, and monitoring of laboratory reagents and consumables, and contribute to procurement planning and supply chain coordination in collaboration with the Africa CDC Reference Laboratory.
Facilitate timely communication and reporting of laboratory results, testing volumes, and operational challenges to support evidence-based outbreak response decision-making.
Provide technical support to strengthen laboratory preparedness, continuity of operations, and rapid response capacity for high-consequence pathogens, including BDBV.
- Molecular Diagnostics and Viral Genomics
Perform advanced molecular diagnostic testing, including nucleic acid extraction, conventional PCR, reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), and real-time PCR (qPCR), in accordance with approved laboratory protocols and quality standards.
Conduct advanced viral genome sequencing techniques, including sequencing library preparation, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and associated laboratory workflows for pathogen detection, characterization, and monitoring.
Support diagnostic testing and genomic analysis of priority pathogens of public health importance, with particular emphasis on viral hemorrhagic fevers and other outbreak-prone diseases.
Ensure proper collection, receipt, handling, processing, storage, and traceability of specimens in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), biosafety requirements, and quality management standards.
Perform preliminary analysis and interpretation of molecular and genomic data to support public health investigations and outbreak response efforts.
Prepare and contribute to molecular diagnostic and genomic surveillance reports, including the timely dissemination of results and relevant findings to NPHLs and the Africa CDC Reference Laboratory.
- Quality Management Systems (QMS), Including Proficiency Testing (PT)
Support the implementation and coordination of PT schemes within NPHLs to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory testing results.
Facilitate the implementation of laboratory QMS, including adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ensure the maintenance of accurate and traceable laboratory records, worksheets, logbooks, and run sheets.
Support the conduct of internal audits, monitoring of quality indicators, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to drive continuous quality improvement.
Assist in the verification, validation, and documentation of laboratory methods, assays, and diagnostic workflows in compliance with international quality standards, accreditation requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
- Biosafety and Biosecurity
Adhere strictly to established biosafety and biosecurity policies, procedures, and regulations, including safe operation within Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) and Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory environments when handling high-consequence and emerging pathogens.
Ensure the appropriate selection, use, maintenance, and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other biosafety measures to minimize occupational and environmental risks.
Support the implementation of biosafety and biosecurity practices, including risk assessments, specimen containment, secure handling, storage, and transport of infectious materials.
Participate in laboratory incident management, including spill response, exposure investigations, incident reporting, and implementation of corrective actions to mitigate risks and prevent recurrence.
Contribute to the promotion of a strong biosafety and biosecurity culture through compliance monitoring, staff awareness, and adherence to laboratory safety standards and guidelines.
- Training and Capacity Building
Provide on-the-job training, coaching, and mentorship to laboratory personnel in advanced molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, and pathogen genomics to strengthen technical competency and workforce development.
Support the development, adaptation, and dissemination of training materials, standard operating procedures (SOPs), job aids, and competency assessment tools tailored to the local context and laboratory needs.
Facilitate knowledge and skills transfer to enhance local ownership, build sustainable in-country expertise, and strengthen the long-term operational capacity of NPHLs.
Support competency assessments and continuous professional development activities to ensure adherence to established laboratory quality, biosafety, and technical standards.
Contribute to the establishment of a skilled and resilient laboratory workforce capable of supporting routine diagnostics and outbreak response activities.
- Equipment and Data Management
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced laboratory equipment, including nucleic acid extractors, real-time PCR platforms, biosafety cabinets, sequencers, and associated laboratory systems, in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and quality requirements.
Support equipment performance monitoring, routine maintenance, calibration, qualification, and documentation to ensure optimal functionality and uninterrupted laboratory operations.
Assist in the management of laboratory reagents, consumables, and supplies, including inventory monitoring, stock reconciliation, lot tracking, storage condition verification, and timely forecasting of procurement needs.
Support the accurate recording, verification, analysis, and management of laboratory and sequencing data using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and other approved digital platforms.
Ensure the integrity, quality, confidentiality, security, and timely reporting of diagnostic and sequencing data in compliance with institutional policies, data governance requirements, and applicable regulations.
Expected Results
Improved turnaround time and quality of molecular diagnostic testing for priority pathogens, enabling timely detection and response to public health threats.
Strengthened genomic surveillance capacity through enhanced sequencing, bioinformatics, and data analysis capabilities within NPHLs.
Enhanced laboratory preparedness and response capacity for outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
Increased compliance with QMS requirements, quality assurance standards, and accreditation frameworks.
Improved technical competency and operational performance of laboratory personnel through targeted training and mentorship.
Strengthened coordination and functionality of the referral system between NPHLs and the Africa CDC Reference Laboratory.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
Master’s degree (MSc) or higher in Molecular Biology, Virology, Genomics, Biotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in molecular diagnostics, clinical virology, or pathogen genomics, of which three (3) should be at Expert Level.
OR
Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Virology, Genomics, Biotechnology, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related field with a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in molecular diagnostics, clinical virology, or pathogen genomics, of which three (3) should be at Expert Level.
Demonstrated hands-on expertise in advanced molecular and genomic techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR/RT-PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS), genomic data analysis, and interpretation of sequencing results.
Proven experience working in national reference, public heal...