Educational Resources

Project Summary

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), under the U.S. Department of State-funded Controlling HIV Epidemic Program (CHEP), supports the Government of Zambia in achieving and sustaining HIV epidemic control in line with national and global targets, including the 95-95-95 goals.

The CHEP project focuses on strengthening HIV prevention, care, and treatment services through a person-centered approach, while enhancing maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and Global Health Security (GHS) outcomes. The project operates in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) at national, provincial, district, and facility levels to ensure sustainability, country ownership, and transition readiness.

Job summary

Reports to Senior Laboratory Coordinator. The incumbent will support the delivery of high-quality molecular diagnostic services across designated PCR laboratories under the CHEP project. The role is responsible for performing HIV Viral Load (VL), Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), and other priority PCR testing, ensuring timely, accurate, and reliable results to inform clinical decision-making.

Main duties

• Performs PCR-based diagnostic testing, including: HIV Viral Load (VL); Early Infant Diagnosis (EID); Other priority molecular assays such as HIV drug resistance
• Ensures adherence to approved testing algorithms and SOPs
• Maintains high levels of accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility
• Ensures timely processing of samples to meet turnaround time targets
• Implements and maintains laboratory quality standards
• Participate in Internal Quality Control (IQC) and External Quality Assurance (EQA) programs
• Supports Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives
• Documents non-conformities and implement corrective actions
• Adheres to biosafety and biosecurity protocols
• Ensures safe handling, storage, and disposal of biological materials
• Report laboratory incidents, exposures, accidents and near misses
• Maintains compliance with national and international standards
• Operates and maintains PCR platforms and related equipment
• Performs routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting
• Reports equipment faults and coordinate repairs
• Ensures proper storage and inventory management of reagents and consumables
• Ensures timely and accurate result entry and reporting
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient information
• Supports data verification and quality checks
• Ensures proper sample reception, labelling, processing, and storage
• Monitors sample quality and reject unsuitable samples where necessary
• Coordinates with courier systems to ensure timely sample transport and results return
• Works closely with clinicians and laboratory teams
• Supports training and mentorship of junior laboratory staff

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences
• Valid practicing licence
• Registration with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ)
• Minimum of 2 years’ relevant laboratory experience (PCR experience preferred)
• Strong knowledge of molecular diagnostics (PCR)
• Understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• Knowledge of biosafety and biosecurity principles
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Good data management and reporting skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Performs PCR-based diagnostic testing, including: HIV Viral Load (VL); Early Infant Diagnosis (EID); Other priority molecular assays such as HIV drug resistance
• Ensures adherence to approved testing algorithms and SOPs
• Maintains high levels of accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility
• Ensures timely processing of samples to meet turnaround time targets
• Implements and maintains laboratory quality standards
• Participate in Internal Quality Control (IQC) and External Quality Assurance (EQA) programs
• Supports Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives
• Documents non-conformities and implement corrective actions
• Adheres to biosafety and biosecurity protocols
• Ensures safe handling, storage, and disposal of biological materials
• Report laboratory incidents, exposures, accidents and near misses
• Maintains compliance with national and international standards
• Operates and maintains PCR platforms and related equipment
• Performs routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting
• Reports equipment faults and coordinate repairs
• Ensures proper storage and inventory management of reagents and consumables
• Ensures timely and accurate result entry and reporting
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient information
• Supports data verification and quality checks
• Ensures proper sample reception, labelling, processing, and storage
• Monitors sample quality and reject unsuitable samples where necessary
• Coordinates with courier systems to ensure timely sample transport and results return
• Works closely with clinicians and laboratory teams
• Supports training and mentorship of junior laboratory staff

• Strong knowledge of molecular diagnostics (PCR)
• Understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• Knowledge of biosafety and biosecurity principles
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Good data management and reporting skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences
• Valid practicing licence
• Registration with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ)