Tropical Medicine Research Center for Talaromycosis in Vietnam:

Talaromycosis (formerly penicilliosis) is a life-threatening invasive fungal infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Talaromyces marneffei (Tm) that is endemic in countries of Southeast Asia , including Vietnam.

This is one of seven endemic mycoses of medical importance. Diagnosis based on culrure appoarch is often unfavorably slow. Thus, we aim to improve diagnostic with novel uncuture-based methods.  

This study is funded by NIH (USA).

→ We are recruiting: 01 lab team member and 01 field team member (prefer MSc level or higher education)


1. Research assistant (Field-based)

Location: Based in HCMC and studied provinces in Mekong Delta and Central Highland with travel on the weekend will be required.

Hours of work: Monday – Friday, extra hours may be required.

Contract: Initially for 01 year, including a 02 month probation period, with possibility of extension.

Key responsibilities and tasks:

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Plan and implement the sample collection timetable in a reasonable manner
  • Execute on well-prepared SOPs
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation related to sample collection and transportation
  • Translate study documents (Vietnamese – English – Vietnamese) if appropriate
  • Track study progress and identify problems.  Report to stakeholders as required  and work with PI’s and local partner(s) to find solutions
  • Prepare report content, organize project implementation meetings such as periodic progress updates and problem-solving sessions
  • Coordinate and manage the schedule of sampling with study coordinators at the research sites to effectively handle all tasks related to the field team and lab team
  • Ensure the research sites comply with all relevant SOPs and research.  .
  • Foster strong and collaborative relationships among project team members

Key tasks could be changed depending on scientific development and funding.

Selection criteria:

Essential:

  • MSc or higher education in Ecology, Environmental Biology, Microbiology, Biology
  • Well fit for frequent travel to field sites.
  • Ability to work effectively with colleagues as a member of a team, gorvenmental institution with excellent communication skills.
  • Working experiences with environmental samples (soil and air sample) will be an advantage.
  • Excellent level of spoken and written in both Vietnamese and English (IELTS ≥ 6.0)
  • Writing reports and be willing to support team members to complete tasks and deliver study aims.
  • Be an excellent team members with approriate communication skills.   
  • Excellent in time management end eager to self-learn scientific knowledges

Desired:

  • Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, and yet be team player
  • Highly organized
  • Experience with research publications
  • Energetic and creative; open to new approaches and ideas

2. Research assistant (Lab-based)

Location: Based in HCMC but may have required travel trips to study sites to work with research partners.

Hours of work: Monday – Friday, extra hours may be required.

Contract: Initially for 3 year, including a 02 month probation period, with possibility of extension annually.

Excellent in time management end eager to self-learn scientific knowledges

Key responsibilities and tasks:

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Design experiment for culture, isolation and fungal identification as well as to detect the presence of fungal in environmental using qPCR technique.
  • Actively take part in designing and performing appropriate molecular or immunological related experiments (ELISA, antigen, antibody detection) in research projects.
  • Take lead in developing and validating related SOPs 
  • Be comfortable and active in self-learning or updating with updated relevant technologies in the research fields.
  • Be ready for analyzing experimental result for discussing, presenting research findings
  • Having ability to identify potential issues in experiment to troubleshoot or self-troubleshoot
  • Writing reports and be willing to support team members to complete tasks and deliver study aims.
  • Be an excellent team members with approriate communication skills.

Selection criteria:

  • MSc or higher education in Ecology, Environmental Biology, Microbiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology.
  • Working experiences in fungal isolation, real-time PCR or ELISA will be an advantage.
  • Excellent level of spoken and written in both Vietnamese and English (IELTS ≥ 6.0).
  • Ability to work effectively with colleagues as a member of a team.

Benefits and Opportunities:

  • Work in a professional and scientific environment
  • Collaborate with leading experts and international partners (Duke University)
  • Training in specialized knowledge and skill-enhancement will be provided if required.
  • Other responsibilities and benefits are based on the Vietnam Labor Law

How to apply:

Interested qualified candidates are invited to send their detailed resume and cover letter in English, including copies of relevant degrees, certificates by email: tmrc@pnt.edu.vn.

* The cover letter should detail:

– What part of your education, training or employment history has best equipped you for this position and why you would be a good candidate?

* The CV should detail:

– Contacts of two referees who are your latest HR/ line manager and can provide details of relevant work experience and attitude

* We thank all applicants for their interest but only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Deadline for submission: 21 July 2024

Only Short-listed candidates will be invited for interview by 5 August 2024