Senior Technical Assistant (UPGL Laboratory) (One Year Fixed Term Contract for 25 Hours Per Week) – Department of Plant and Soil Sciences – Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences needed at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Preparation of sequencing libraries for all samples to be sequenced on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies platform (ONT);
• Loading of flow cells and setting up of the PromethION and MinION Instruments to analyse the prepared samples, as well as running and monitoring the instruments;
• Accurate sample quality control before and during library preparation and sequencing;
• Accurate recording and reporting of all laboratory procedures, as well as reagents and consumables used during the workflow for each sample processed;
• Proper storage and handling of all samples, reagents and consumables at all times;
• Careful management of reagent and consumable levels, and timely order requisition for all required reagents and consumables;
• Assisting with data management on sequencing computers;
• Cleaning and setting up of all equipment used in the ONT workflow;
• General laboratory maintenance of the UPGL laboratories. This includes very strict contamination control in potential cross contamination hotspots;
• Communication with clients regarding their samples and progress of the workflow when required;
• Assisting in basic project planning;
• DNA isolations for method development projects of the UPGL;
• Keeping up to date with the latest development in the ONT community and the NGS space in general;
• Optimising new protocols when required;
• Own time management within allocated project delivery times; 
• Deliver good quality data on time;
• Active contribution in workshops hosted by the UPGL.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• BSc (Hons) in a Biological Sciences discipline with MSc exam copies submitted for examination;
• At least two (2) years’ experience in Molecular Biology obtained during postgraduate studies. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Proficient in common molecular biology techniques:
• Accurate pipetting;
• DNA isolation for NGS sequencing;
• PCR;
• DNA ligation;
• DNA electrophoresis;
• DNA QC;
• Meticulous attention to detail with good documentation skills;
• Proven troubleshooting skills in molecular biology;
• A self-motivated person with the ability to manage time effectively;
• Must be reliable and must have the ability to work accurately while under pressure;
• Must have the ability to troubleshoot potential problems in the ONT sequencing workflow;
• Good interpersonal relationship skills;
• Proven competency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• MSc in a Biological Sciences discipline;
• Extensive practical experience in DNA based molecular biology techniques;
• Presentation at workshops and training events;
• Previous NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) library building and DNA sequencing experience;
• Experience in high molecular weight DNA isolation.