The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) was founded in 1970 through the initiative of the Norwegian and Swedish Save the Children organizations seconded by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. The Institute got its name from the Norwegian physician, Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who first described the leprosy bacillus (Mycobacterium leprae). AHRI is a biomedical research institute that works in developing tools for prevention, control and treatment of mycobacterium and other diseases of public healthy importance through applied and basic biomedical research and training.

AHRI would like to hire qualified candidate in the position of Assistant Researcher II under Bacterial & Viral Diseases Directorate for Virology Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities:

·         To work in harmony with Virology research Team

·         Contributes to the execution of design, optimization, verification, troubleshooting and validation of routine molecular assays and provides input into the design, direction, implementation and interpretation of experimental molecular and functional assays

·         Conduct research on the structure, function, ecology, biotechnology and genetics of virus

·         Extract nucleic acids using classical and advanced methods

·         Conduct laboratory activities on viral DNA and RNA on  pathogenesis and related virulence factors and phylogenic analysis

·         Conduct laboratory activities on viral DNA and RNA to understand the mechanisms of resistance to antiviral agents

Job Title...................................... Assistant Researcher II

Employment Type...................... Government (permanent) employment basis

Required No............................... 1 (one)

Job Grade................................... XIV

Directorate.................................. Bacterial & Viral Diseases Directorate for Virology unit

Salary.......................................... Birr 8,354 (ETB eight thousand three hundred fifty four)

House Allowance........................ Birr 2,500 (two thousand five hundred)

Mobile Allowance....................... Birr 250 (two hundred fifty)

Internet Allowance..................... Birr 250 (two hundred fifty)

Education: 

-          MSc in Microbiology or Molecular Biology  OR

-          BSc in Microbiology or Molecular Biology  AND 2 years related experiences

Specialized Skills

-       Conventional and automated nucleic acid extraction from various clinical and non-clinical specimens , handling and processing

-       Maintain and purify viral DNA and RNA

-       Measure the concentration of nucleic acids

-       Prepare and work on bacteriophage, clones, and vectors/plasmids

-       Basic immunological and molecular biology tests (ELISA, DNA and RNA purification, PCR, qPCR and Plasmid amplification, gel preparation, electrophoresis, cycle sequencing, sequence analysis,  electropherogram reading) and procedures to detect, identify and characterize virons and virus

-       Optimize in-house molecular based assays

Requirements:

·         A high level of skill using precision instruments to model and identify organisms

·         An ability to handle and process nucleic acids, clones, vectors

·         Meticulous Observance and Practice of Safety Procedures

·         Excellent Research and Communication Skills

·         Good general work habits and people skills

·         Committed to the values of integrity, accountability, transparency, and scientific rigor