Research Assistant - National Infectious Diseases Biorepository

About the role

The National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) is recruiting a Research Assistant to join its CDA Research Laboratory (CRL) team and manage the National Infectious Diseases Biorepository (NIDB). NIDB is a national resource for preserving microbial specimens and materials to support public health, outbreak preparedness and infectious disease research and training. The assistant supports the Biorepository Scientific Officer (SSO) in day-to-day operations and in secretarial duties for NIDB management committees and project meetings, such as recording meeting minutes and managing the NIDB database.

Key responsibilities

• Manage documentation of research documents, inventories, protocols, maintenance logs and sample processing logs.
• Keep the NIDB REDCap database up to date.
• Handle sample collection and storage, ensuring requestors complete forms and following up on missing information.
• Physically check and sign off new samples on arrival, retrieve samples from storage freezers for dispatch, and take meeting minutes when required.
• Assist in developing, implementing and revising standard operating procedures for NIDB.
• Comply with safety regulations and infection control policies.
• Assist in planning laboratory logistics, workflows and documentation for new studies, and liaise with internal and external parties.
• Characterize microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) in line with biosafety regulations.
• Perform other duties directed by the SSO and the CRL director.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Science with a relevant major in biomedical science.
• Bench work skills such as real-time PCR, DNA extraction, tissue handling and aseptic technique.
• Prior experience with biobanks or microbiology laboratories is an advantage.
• Experience with the REDCap database is preferred.
• Administrative and laboratory experience; enthusiastic, organized and detail-oriented.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Preferred: REDCap database experience.