Introduction

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Rwanda despite notable reductions in cases and deaths achieved through effective interventions such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), and improved case management. However, the recent emergence of Plasmodium falciparum mutations associated with artemisinin resistance and Pfhrp2/3 gene deletions threatens to undermine these hard-won gains and threaten national malaria elimination efforts. To address these challenges, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) has secured funding from the Gates Foundation to establish a National Malaria Molecular Surveillance (MMS) and a National Reference Genomic Laboratory. The project is being implemented in partnership with Society for Family Health (SFH) Rwanda, which plays a key role in supporting project implementation, coordination, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of molecular surveillance activities into existing malaria control and surveillance systems. The initiative aims to routinely detect and monitor genetic markers of drug and diagnostic resistance, integrate molecular testing into existing malaria surveillance systems, and provide real-time data to guide evidence-based policy and programmatic decisions at the national level. The project’s ultimate goal is to generate real-time molecular data to guide policy and programmatic decisions that will sustain Rwanda’s malaria elimination trajectory and contribute to regional and global efforts against antimalarial drug resistance.

Therefore, in order to implement the Malaria Molecular Surveillance Project, SFH Rwanda is recruiting a Senior Laboratory advisor.

Job summary

The Senior Laboratory Advisor will provide advanced technical and scientific support for the laboratory components of the MMS Project to ensure high-quality implementation of molecular surveillance activities in line with project objectives, laboratory standards, and timelines. The Senior Laboratory Advisor will support molecular laboratory activities related to parasite genotyping, Pfhrp2/3 deletion testing, and monitoring molecular markers of antimalarial drug resistance. The role will focus on laboratory-based scientific work, assay optimization, quality assurance, data validation, and technical support for molecular surveillance activities to strengthen Rwanda’s malaria surveillance systems and contribute to evidence generation for malaria control and elimination efforts.

The surveillance will employ a repeated cross-sectional design across 30 sentinel health facilities and selected community sites over the project period to collect and analyze blood samples for parasite genotyping, Pfhrp2/3 deletions, and molecular markers of drug resistance.

The position holder will be seconded to work at the RBC, Kigali, with frequent travel to sentinel sites and regional laboratories as required. The Senior Laboratory Advisor will report directly to the MMS Analyst and will work in close coordination with the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), and other partners involved in malaria surveillance.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SENIOR LABORATORY ADVISOR

The role and responsibilities are but not limited to:

• Conduct and support molecular laboratory testing activities related to malaria surveillance, including parasite genotyping, Pfhrp2/3 deletion analysis, and detection of molecular markers of antimalarial drug resistance.
• Perform laboratory assays, optimization, troubleshooting, validation, and interpretation of molecular test results in accordance with approved protocols and quality standards.
• Support implementation of laboratory quality assurance and quality control procedures to ensure accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of molecular testing results.
• Assist in sample processing, storage, tracking, and laboratory data management to maintain sample integrity and accurate documentation.
• Support development, review, and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and laboratory protocols for molecular surveillance activities.
• Provide technical support and mentorship to laboratory personnel involved in molecular testing and surveillance activities.
• Participate in laboratory data analysis, interpretation of findings, manuscript preparation, and scientific dissemination of project results.
• Support maintenance, calibration, and monitoring of laboratory equipment and ensure compliance with biosafety and laboratory safety procedures.
• Prepare technical laboratory reports and contribute to project documentation and reporting requirements.
• Participate in scientific meetings, technical working groups, and stakeholder discussions related to malaria molecular surveillance as needed.
• Perform any other laboratory and project-related technical tasks assigned by the Principal Investigator (PI).

REQUIREMENTS

1. Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, Global Health, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, or a related field, with a strong foundation in biomedical laboratory sciences; OR a bachelor’s degree in biomedical laboratory sciences or a related discipline.
• For candidates with a master’s degree, a minimum of 2–5 years of relevant professional experience in infectious disease surveillance, including project coordination and management.
• For candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in infectious disease surveillance, including project coordination and management.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating surveillance and research projects, preferably involving molecular epidemiology, genomics, or other advanced laboratory-based surveillance approaches.
• Proven scientific track record with at least two (2) peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong leadership, analytical, project management, and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in stakeholder engagement, scientific reporting, and dissemination of research findings.

2. Competency

• Strong leadership and project management skills with the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent understanding of malaria epidemiology, molecular surveillance, and laboratory operations.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and ensure adherence to quality and timelines.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication, reporting, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to public health goals.

• Conduct and support molecular laboratory testing activities related to malaria surveillance, including parasite genotyping, Pfhrp2/3 deletion analysis, and detection of molecular markers of antimalarial drug resistance.
• Perform laboratory assays, optimization, troubleshooting, validation, and interpretation of molecular test results in accordance with approved protocols and quality standards.
• Support implementation of laboratory quality assurance and quality control procedures to ensure accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of molecular testing results.
• Assist in sample processing, storage, tracking, and laboratory data management to maintain sample integrity and accurate documentation.
• Support development, review, and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and laboratory protocols for molecular surveillance activities.
• Provide technical support and mentorship to laboratory personnel involved in molecular testing and surveillance activities.
• Participate in laboratory data analysis, interpretation of findings, manuscript preparation, and scientific dissemination of project results.
• Support maintenance, calibration, and monitoring of laboratory equipment and ensure compliance with biosafety and laboratory safety procedures.
• Prepare technical laboratory reports and contribute to project documentation and reporting requirements.
• Participate in scientific meetings, technical working groups, and stakeholder discussions related to malaria molecular surveillance as needed.
• Perform any other laboratory and project-related technical tasks assigned by the Principal Investigator (PI).

• Strong leadership and project management skills with the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent understanding of malaria epidemiology, molecular surveillance, and laboratory operations.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and ensure adherence to quality and timelines.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication, reporting, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to public health goals.

• Master’s degree in public health, Global Health, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, or a related field, with a strong foundation in biomedical laboratory sciences; OR a bachelor’s degree in biomedical laboratory sciences or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating surveillance and research projects, preferably involving molecular epidemiology, genomics, or other advanced laboratory-based surveillance approaches.
• Proven scientific track record with at least two (2) peer-reviewed publications.