General Summary

Support Lab related health system strengthening support at regional hubs. Support Lab diagnostic and monitoring activities in line with the National Health Laboratory Strategic plan/policy and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GLCP)

Key Responsibilities

• Perform Quality assurance procedures including daily quality control, monthly comparability tests and quarterly proficiency testing on the various tests offered at the facility in line with the laboratory quality manual and MoH Laboratory Quality Improvement Program guidelines.
• Study and implement the periodic recommendations in regard to MoH laboratory accreditation processes in the regional HUB laboratory of operation and in the health facility. This will enhance proper functioning of the laboratory in line with the WHO AFRO SLMTA /SLIPTA accreditation standards.
• Implement Biosafety and waste management procedures to maintain routine healthy, hygienic and safety aspects and work place needs in line with MoH Biosafety and Health Care Waste management guidelines
• Perform specimen collection from HF patients, referral of specimens (CD4, DBS, sputum, serology and chemistry samples) and reception of referred specimens. Conduct verification and documentation/ accessioning of specimens within realistic Turn Around Times (TATs) in line with GLCP.
• Conduct periodic (daily, weekly and monthly) maintenance procedures for laboratory equipment/machines/its parts as per service schedules and as well routinely monitor equipment and environmental temperatures in line with GLCP, MoH Laboratory SOP and equipment manuals
• Conduct periodic forecasts of laboratory reagents and supplies, make monthly requisitions for the required inventory from HF main store. Manage the laboratory store and distribute reagents and supplies to testing points in line with HF store management procedures
• Proficiently Perform sample processing, testing and analysis using MoH/ facility laboratory SOP’s and automated instrumentation where applicable for the respective assays while ensuring proper documentation/record keeping and timely dissemination of results to clinicians/patients according to GCLP
• Provide technical support as a member of the laboratory Technical Assistance Team (TAT) to the staff conducting RCT at the various testing points in the HF through staff development, joint agreement and performance assessment/feedback on quality improvement interventions as per identified gaps to improve on delivery of laboratory services in the facility
• Generate and timely forward copies of weekly, monthly and quarterly laboratory reports as per the set HF laboratory targets to supervisors, the regional laboratory coordinator and the district lab focal person according to expected MoH and IDI reporting Guidelines
• Oversee Hub operations, sample transportation and result transmission systems under the supported field office.
• Support processes geared towards accreditation of laboratories in the supported districts

Academic Qualification

• Bachelors’ degree in Medical laboratory technology with 2-3 years of continuous laboratory work experience.

Specific Experience

• Active registration with the Allied Health Professional Council
• Possess key personal competences in customer care principles, Team, supervisory skills, Focused and observant, analytical skills, networking and communication skills, documentation and reporting, presentation and training skills, proficient use of automated laboratory instrumentation.
• Should have knowledge in laboratory CQI processes
• Willingness to work and live in rural areas is required

Person Specification

• A Bachelors’ degree in Medical laboratory technology with 2-3 years of continuous laboratory work experience.
• Active registration with the Allied Health Professional Council
• Possess key personal competencies in customer care principles, Team, supervisory skills, Focused and observant, analytical skills, networking and communication skills, documentation and reporting, presentation and training skills, and proficient use of automated laboratory instrumentation.
• Should have knowledge in laboratory CQI processes
• Willingness to work and live in rural areas is required

Intern volunteers (6)

Call for applications: Internship for Females at African center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences

Empowering Uganda’s Women in Health Data Science: Identifying Barriers, Bridging Knowledge and Innovation for Tangible Impact: She Data Science (SHEDS)

Proposed start: June 15th, 2024

The She Data Science (SHEDS) project is pleased to invite suitable applications from females for six internships for the year 2024. SHEDS is a collaborative initiative between the African center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda and the Institute of Global Health Sciences (IGHS) at the University of California San Francisco (­­­­UCSF), USA.

About the SHEDS program

The increasing adoption of technologies like mobile phones, high throughput genomic sequencing, IoT and electronic health records is accelerating the buildup of an avalanche of data: clinical, genomic, epidemiological, climate-related and social/behavioral data. These growing volumes and complexity of data, render the rapidly expanding field of “Big Data” analysis and interpretation essential to improving health and economic outcomes.

Data Science (DS­­­), which encapsulates Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a pathway to the leveraging and enhancement of these data into meaningful and actionable information. However, the highly technical nature of DS as well its powerful potential, simultaneously pause the risk of ‘leaving behind’ sections of the population that have already been disadvantaged. In Uganda in particular, the high gender disparity within STEM fields means that women are more likely to be left behind, resulting in the unintended consequence of DS further widening the gender gap in STEM.

This program is thus going to target the training and advancement of Ugandan women in data science and (or) bioinformatics. It achieves this goal through three critical areas: 1) Skilling women in data science / bioinformatics methods and techniques, 2) identify barriers to women in STEM, Data Science and bioinformatics 3) Providing a bridge to help trainees translate their data science skills into biomedical and public health practice.

Benefits of the program

• Working of projects solving real life problems like Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Cancer, Genetic diseases
• World class health data science mentorship from some of the best mentors in the field.

Internship fields

The interns will work on projects that employ data science, mathematical and (or) bioinformatics to any of the following areas: a) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies, identifying One Health AMR transmission pathways, and utilizing data science methodologies to guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives; b) Human Genomics including the role of repeats in the human genome; c) cancer including cancer genomics and genomics data science; and d) Natural Language Processing (NLP) and (or) generative AI solutions for health problems.

Submission

Submit the following documents as a single pdf file

1. Certified copies of relevant academic documents or an official transcript or stamped testimonial if the prospective interns completed required courses but are awaiting graduation.
2. Two reference letters from academic referees on institution's official letterhead.
3. Statement of motivation stating clearly and precisely the specific internship for which they are applying, the skills and experience they expect to gain or develop during the period of Internship and the contributions they will make to ACE in line with its mission. (max 1500 words).
4. Your idea for the research project (single page).
5. An updated CV (max 4 pages).

NB:

• This is a full-time internship. It is expected that the intending applicant is not involved in any other form of study or employment.
• Only successful candidates will be notified.
• Although this opportunity is majorly targeted towards females, exceptionally qualified males are encouraged to apply.

Graduate Trainee (1)

The Business Development Graduate Trainee will support acquisition of new business, further development of existing business, and monitoring programmatic compliance across all the IDI main programs.  The Business Development Graduate Trainee will be working under the direct supervision of, and be evaluated by the IDI Manager (Strategic Information and Business Development).

LAB ASSISTANT (1)

To carry out basic laboratory tests for diagnosis of diseases with focus on Gene Xpert testing and other HIV/AIDS related tests.

Masters student fellow (2)

Call for applications: Funded Research Year MSc Fellowship Opportunities at Makerere University

Empowering Uganda’s Women in Health Data Science: Identifying Barriers, Bridging Knowledge and Innovation for Tangible Impact: She Data Science (SHEDS)

Call open:   May 13th, 2024  

Call closes: June 20th, 2024    

Proposed start: September 2nd, 2024

The She Data Science (SHEDS) project is pleased to invite suitable applications from females for two fully funded PhD fellowships for the year 2024. SHEDS is a collaborative initiative between the African center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda and the Institute of Global Health Sciences (IGHS) at the University of California San Francisco (­­­­UCSF), USA.

About the SHEDS program

The increasing adoption of technologies like mobile phones, high throughput genomic sequencing, IoT and electronic health records is accelerating the buildup of an avalanche of data: clinical, genomic, epidemiological, climate-related and social/behavioral data. These growing volumes and complexity of data, render the rapidly expanding field of “Big Data” analysis and interpretation essential to improving health and economic outcomes.

Data Science (DS­­­), which encapsulates Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a pathway to the leveraging and enhancement of these data into meaningful and actionable information. However, the highly technical nature of DS as well its powerful potential, simultaneously pause the risk of ‘leaving behind’ sections of the population that have already been disadvantaged. In Uganda in particular, the high gender disparity within STEM fields means that women are more likely to be left behind, resulting in the unintended consequence of DS further widening the gender gap in STEM.

This program is thus going to target the training and advancement of Ugandan women in data science and (or) bioinformatics. It achieves this goal through three critical areas: 1) Skilling women in data science / bioinformatics methods and techniques, 2) identify barriers to women in STEM, Data Science and bioinformatics 3) Providing a bridge to help trainees translate their data science skills into biomedical and public health practice.

Benefits of the program

• There are two fellowships that will provide a stipend to two MSc students during the research year.
• Research clearance fees for MSc student project.
• World class health data science mentorship from some of the best mentors in the field.

Research concept

The research concept should be one that employs data science, mathematical and (or) bioinformatics to any of the following areas: a) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies, identifying One Health AMR transmission pathways, and utilizing data science methodologies to guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives; b) Human Genomics including the role of repeats in the human genome; c) cancer including cancer genomics and genomics data science; and d) Natural Language Processing (NLP) and (or) generative AI solutions for health problems.
 

Submission

Submit the following documents as a single pdf file

1. Certified copies of relevant academic documents.
2. Two reference letters from academic referees
3. Statement of motivation (max 1000 words)
4. Your idea for the research project (single page)
5. An updated CV (max 4 pages)

Application deadline: June 20th 2024

NB:

• This is a full-time MSc scholarship. It is expected that the intending applicant is not involved in any other form of study or employment.
• Only successful candidates will be notified.
• Although this opportunity is majorly targeted towards females, exceptionally qualified males are encouraged to apply.

Masters student fellow (2)

Call for applications: Fully Funded 2-year MSc Fellowship Opportunities at Makerere University

Empowering Uganda’s Women in Health Data Science: Identifying Barriers, Bridging Knowledge and Innovation for Tangible Impact: She Data Science (SHEDS)

Call open:   May 13th, 2024   

Call closes: June 20th, 2024    

Proposed start: September 2nd, 2024

The She Data Science (SHEDS) project is pleased to invite suitable applications from females for two fully funded PhD fellowships for the year 2024. SHEDS is a collaborative initiative between the African center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda and the Institute of Global Health Sciences (IGHS) at the University of California San Francisco (­­­­UCSF), USA.

About the SHEDS program

The increasing adoption of technologies like mobile phones, high throughput genomic sequencing, IoT and electronic health records is accelerating the buildup of an avalanche of data: clinical, genomic, epidemiological, climate-related and social/behavioral data. These growing volumes and complexity of data, render the rapidly expanding field of “Big Data” analysis and interpretation essential to improving health and economic outcomes.

Data Science (DS­­­), which encapsulates Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a pathway to the leveraging and enhancement of these data into meaningful and actionable information. However, the highly technical nature of DS as well its powerful potential, simultaneously pause the risk of ‘leaving behind’ sections of the population that have already been disadvantaged. In Uganda in particular, the high gender disparity within STEM fields means that women are more likely to be left behind, resulting in the unintended consequence of DS further widening the gender gap in STEM.

This program is thus going to target the training and advancement of Ugandan women in data science and (or) bioinformatics. It achieves this goal through three critical areas: 1) Skilling women in data science / bioinformatics methods and techniques, 2) identify barriers to women in STEM, Data Science and bioinformatics 3) Providing a bridge to help trainees translate their data science skills into biomedical and public health practice.

Benefits of the program

• There are two fully funded MSc fellowships that will provide tuition and a stipend for a 2-year full-time MSc degree.
• Research clearance fees for MSc student project.
• World class health data science mentorship from some of the best mentors in the field.

Submission

Submit the following documents as a single pdf file 

1. Certified copies of relevant academic documents
2. Two reference letters from academic referees
3. Statement of motivation (max 1000 words)
4. An updated CV (max 4 pages)

Application deadline: June 20th 2024
 

NB:

• This is a full-time MSc scholarship. It is expected that the intending applicant is not involved in any other form of study or employment.
• Only successful candidates will be notified.
• Although this opportunity is majorly targeted towards females, exceptionally qualified males are encouraged to apply.

PhD Student fellow (2)

Call for applications: Fully Funded PhD Fellowship Opportunities for Females at Makerere University

Empowering Uganda’s Women in Health Data Science: Identifying Barriers, Bridging Knowledge and Innovation for Tangible Impact: She Data Science (SHEDS)

Call open:   May 13th, 2024   

Call closes: June 20th, 2024    

Proposed start: September 2nd, 2024

The She Data Science (SHEDS) project is pleased to invite suitable applications from females for two fully funded PhD fellowships for the year 2024. SHEDS is a collaborative initiative between the African center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences(ACE), Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda and the Institute of Global Health Sciences (IGHS) at the University of California San Francisco (­­­­UCSF), USA.

About the SHEDS program

The increasing adoption of technologies like mobile phones, high throughput genomic sequencing, IoT and electronic health records is accelerating the buildup of an avalanche of data: clinical, genomic, epidemiological, climate-related and social/behavioral data. These growing volumes and complexity of data, render the rapidly expanding field of “Big Data” analysis and interpretation essential to improving health and economic outcomes.

Data Science (DS­­­), which encapsulates Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a pathway to the leveraging and enhancement of these data into meaningful and actionable information. However, the highly technical nature of DS as well its powerful potential, simultaneously pause the risk of ‘leaving behind’ sections of the population that have already been disadvantaged. In Uganda in particular, the high gender disparity within STEM fields means that women are more likely to be left behind, resulting in the unintended consequence of DS further widening the gender gap in STEM.

This program is thus going to target the training and advancement of Ugandan women in data science and (or) bioinformatics. It achieves this goal through three critical areas: 1) Skilling women in data science / bioinformatics methods and techniques, 2) identify barriers to women in STEM, Data Science and bioinformatics 3) Providing a bridge to help trainees translate their data science skills into biomedical and public health practice.

Benefits of the program

• There are two fully funded PhD fellowships that will provide tuition and a stipend for a duration of upto 3 years.
• Spend upto 3 months at UCSF, USA in a data science related research lab with a paid economy class return ticket, accommodation and stipend for stay at UCSF.
• Institutional IRB fees for PhD project.
• UNCST fees for PhD project.
• Open Access Publication fees for up to 2 publications.
• World class health data science mentorship from some of the best mentors in the field.

Research concept

The research concept should be one that employs data science, mathematical and (or) bioinformatics to any of the following areas: a) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies, identifying One Health AMR transmission pathways, and utilizing data science methodologies to guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives; b) Human Genomics including the role of repeats in the human genome; c) cancer including cancer genomics and genomics data science; and d) Natural Language Processing (NLP) and (or) generative AI solutions for health problems.
 

Submission

Submit the following documents as a single pdf file

1. Certified copies of relevant academic documents.
2. Two reference letters from academic referees.
3. Statement of motivation (max 1500 words).
4. Your idea for the research project (single page).
5. An updated CV (max 4 pages).

Application deadline: June 20th 2024

NB:

• This is a full-time PhD fellowship. It is expected that the intending applicant is not involved in any other form of study or employment.
• Only successful candidates will be notified.