Apply for MSc Student Positions at Ifakara Health Institute: 2 Posts Available, August 2024

August 5, 2024

MSc Student Positions Available at Ifakara Health Institute – Apply by August 14, 2024

Are you passionate about bioinformatics and eager to contribute to ground-breaking malaria research? Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is seeking two MSc students to join our team in Dar es Salaam. This is a unique opportunity to work on the Molecular Surveillance of Malaria in Mainland Tanzania (MSMT2) project, aimed at advancing malaria control and elimination through innovative research.

About Ifakara Health Institute

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is a prominent research organization in Africa, renowned for its excellence in developing, testing, and validating health innovations. With a strong focus on research, training, and services, IHI’s work encompasses a broad range of fields including biomedical and ecological sciences, health-systems research, and policy translation.

Position Overview

As an MSc student at IHI, you will work on the MSMT2 project, which is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, National Malaria Control Programme, President’s Office, Regional Administration, Local Government, and National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). This role involves contributing to the project’s goal of enhancing local capacity for malaria molecular surveillance through advanced bioinformatics and data analytics.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement pipelines for next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis, including quality control, alignment, variant calling, and annotation.
Perform bioinformatics analyses of genomic datasets from malaria parasites under senior researchers’ guidance.
Identify and characterize genetic markers related to drug resistance, diagnostic resistance, and transmission dynamics.
Integrate genomic data with clinical, epidemiological, and environmental data to provide insights into malaria dynamics.
Assist in fieldwork for sample collection while adhering to ethical guidelines.
Prepare progress and final reports for stakeholders and funding agencies.

Qualifications and Experience

An undergraduate degree in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, or a related field.
A minimum GPA of 3.8 in your undergraduate studies.
Prior research experience in genomics or bioinformatics is highly advantageous.
2 to 5 years of relevant experience in genomics, bioinformatics, or computational biology is preferred.
Experience with bioinformatics tools and databases such as BLAST, NCBI, Ensemble, or UCSC Genome Browser.
Proficiency in English and basic programming skills in Python, R, Perl, or Java.
Tanzanian nationality is required.

Skills and Competencies

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex genomic data.
Knowledge of genomic technologies like NGS, microarrays, and CRISPR.
High level of independence, problem-solving skills, and team spirit.
A personal statement detailing your motivation and interest in the position.

Equal Opportunity Statement

IHI is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination of any kind. All employment decisions are based on job requirements and individual qualifications, adhering to Tanzanian labor laws.