Laboratory Microbiologist

Job Description

Title: Laboratory Microbiologist

Company Name: Projahnmo Research Foundation

Vacancy: --

Age: At least 24 years

Job Location: Sylhet

Salary: --

Experience:

• At least 3 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Master`s degree in Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Clinical Microbiology, or a closely related discipline from a recognized University.

• Relevant specialized training in clinical microbiology, laboratory quality management, biosafety, or automated microbiological testing will be an advantage.

• At least 3 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Age At least 24 years

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of practical laboratory experience in clinical or research microbiology.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in:

• Clinical specimen preparation and processing.

• Preparation and quality control of microbiological culture media.

• Bacterial culture, isolation, and identification.

• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

• Operation of BACTEC systems.

• Operation of VITEK systems.

• Internal laboratory quality-control procedures.

• Laboratory equipment maintenance and documentation.

• Knowledge and skill in performing normal laboratory processes like CBC, ESR, Stool/Urine RME, serum electrolytes, ALT/AST, creatinine etc.

• Experience working in a clinical research laboratory, hospital laboratory, or internationally funded health research project will be an advantage.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Strong knowledge of clinical microbiology principles and laboratory procedures.

• Practical knowledge of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

• Good understanding of laboratory quality-management systems and quality-control procedures.

• Knowledge of biosafety, infection prevention, and biomedical waste-management practices.

• Ability to follow SOPs, laboratory manuals, study protocols, and quality-assurance requirements.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and data integrity.

• Ability to identify laboratory problems and perform basic troubleshooting.

• Good record-keeping, documentation, and organizational skills.

• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and laboratory/database applications.

• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research and laboratory team.

Competencies

• High level of professional integrity and accountability.

• Commitment to laboratory quality and participant/patient safety.

• Attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to work independently as well as within a team.

• Ability to manage multiple laboratory activities and meet deadlines.

• Willingness to work flexible hours when required for time-sensitive specimen processing.

• Commitment to confidentiality, ethical research conduct, and organizational policies.

Projahnmo Research Foundation (PRF), in association with Johns Hopkins University, USA has a long and illustrious history of conducting research in Bangladesh. PRF’s research has contributed to improvement of health of Bangladeshi citizens and has supported the career development of numerous Bangladeshi public health professionals. PRF is seeking qualified and motivated applicants for the position of Laboratory Microbiologist.

Duty Station: Sylhet City

Employment Type: Full-time and fixed-term

Job Summary

The Laboratory Microbiologist will receive, prepare, process, test, store, and transport clinical specimens in accordance with approved laboratory protocols for different projects, following Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP).

The position requires strong practical experience in microbiological techniques, including preparing culture media, isolating and identifying microorganisms, performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and operating automated laboratory systems such as BACTEC and VITEK.

The Microbiologist will also maintain laboratory quality-control systems, ensure accurate documentation, monitor equipment performance, support biosafety practices, and maintain the reliability and integrity of laboratory results generated for research and/or clinical activities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Specimen Receipt, Preparation, and Processing

• Receive, verify, label, register, and process clinical specimens according to laboratory SOPs and study protocols.

• Assess specimen quality, volume, labeling, transportation conditions, and acceptability before processing.

• Prepare specimens for microbiological culture, identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and other required investigations.

• Perform appropriate inoculation, incubation, isolation, and identification procedures.

• Ensure proper aliquoting, storage, preservation, and disposal/transportation of specimens.

• Maintain accurate specimen tracking and chain-of-custody documentation where applicable.

• If needed, facilitate shipping specimens to other countries, working with reputable courier services.

2. Microbiological Culture and Media Preparation

• Prepare different types of microbiological culture media, reagents, stains, and solutions according to standard procedures.

• Perform appropriate quality-control testing of prepared and commercially supplied culture media.

• Ensure proper labeling, storage, expiry-date monitoring, and documentation of media and reagents.

• Perform bacterial culture, isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using conventional and automated methods.

• Maintain pure cultures and reference/control organisms as required.

3. Operation of Automated Microbiology Systems

• Operate the BACTEC automated blood culture system for detection and monitoring of microbial growth in clinical specimens.

• Operate the VITEK automated identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing system.

• Perform routine instrument checks, calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and documentation according to manufacturer recommendations and laboratory SOPs.

• Review automated results and correlate findings with culture characteristics and other laboratory findings before reporting.

• Promptly identify and report instrument errors, unusual findings, or quality concerns to the laboratory supervisor.

4. Laboratory Quality Control and Quality Assurance

• Implement and maintain internal quality-control procedures for microbiological testing.

• Perform and document daily, weekly, and periodic quality-control activities as required.

• Monitor performance of culture media, reagents, stains, equipment, instruments, and testing procedures.

• Maintain temperature logs for refrigerators, freezers, incubators, and other temperature-controlled equipment.

• Participate in external quality-assurance/proficiency-testing programs when applicable.

• Identify non-conformities, investigate laboratory errors, and assist in implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

• Support periodic review and updating of laboratory SOPs and quality-management documents.

• Ensure laboratory activities comply with institutional policies, GCLP/GLP requirements, study protocols, and applicable national and international laboratory standards.

5. Equipment, Reagents, and Inventory Management

• Ensure proper use, cleaning, maintenance, and documentation of laboratory equipment.

• Maintain equipment maintenance, calibration, and service records.

• Monitor stocks of culture media, reagents, consumables, and laboratory supplies.

• Inform the supervisor in advance regarding requirements for procurement and replenishment.

• Ensure proper storage and inventory management, including monitoring of lot numbers and expiration dates.

6. Biosafety and Infection Prevention

• Follow appropriate biosafety, infection-prevention, and waste-management procedures at all times.

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment and ensure safe handling of potentially infectious specimens.

• Ensure proper decontamination and disposal of biological and laboratory waste.

• Immediately report laboratory accidents, spills, exposure incidents, or other biosafety concerns.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory working environment.

7. Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain complete, accurate, timely, and traceable laboratory records.

• Enter laboratory results into registers, laboratory information systems, electronic databases, or study databases as applicable.

• Ensure confidentiality and integrity of participant/patient and research data.

• Prepare routine laboratory reports and provide updates to supervisors and research teams as required.

• Report critical, unusual, or potentially clinically significant laboratory findings promptly according to established procedures.

8. Research and Team Support

• Support microbiological laboratory activities for clinical and implementation research studies.

• Follow study-specific laboratory manuals, protocols, and specimen-management procedures.

• Participate in laboratory training, monitoring visits, audits, and inspections.

• Provide practical guidance and training to laboratory technicians and other laboratory staff when required.

• Coordinate with clinical, field, data-management, and research teams to ensure timely and high-quality laboratory activities.

• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor or the PRF management.

Reports to: Project Manager

Job Nature: Full time and Fixed term.

• Salary: Competitive. (Salary can be negotiable based on qualifications and experience)

• Benefit: 12% retirement fund contribution by PRF will be given as per organizational policy.