Laboratory Assistant

The Centre was established in 2003 to help Malagasy people and the international community better understand the value of conservation in Madagascar. Its mission has three main axes:

Other information

• Promote high-level research in a diverse and unique ecosystem;
• Encourage environmental conservation by developing environmentally sustainable economic development programmes with the local population; and
• To provide local people with the knowledge and tools to improve their quality of life through projects focused on sanitation, food and education, and ultimately reducing poverty in the region.

Responsibilities

Main duties

Under the supervision of the Laboratory and Collections Manager, the Laboratory Assistant will be responsible for the following tasks: a. Management of samples

Education / Qualifications

• Verify that each sample submitted by the researchers is accompanied by all the information required to prevent any loss or misidentification;
• Organize the storage of samples in coordination with researchers so that each party knows their precise location;
• List all samples and reagents brought by researchers or research staff and stored in the laboratory (shelfs, refrigerators and freezers), and record this information in the laboratory notebook;
• Ask researchers for all required sample documents (sample lists, information on their collection, authorizations and export documents);
• Ensure that laboratory procedures are followed by researchers regarding the storage, temporary removal and final disposal of samples. b. Management of laboratory consumables
• Maintain inventory of laboratory consumables using management tools (e.g., InvenTree or Google Sheets) and maintain a physical inventory sheet for each consumable, recording each entry and exit;
• Inform the Laboratory and Collections Manager when the minimum stock is reached;
• Make available to researchers the required consumables, within the limits of available stocks, record all distributed supplies and update the Excel consumable tracking file provided to researchers;
• Monitor the expiry dates of reagents and consumables and identify products to be replaced as a priority;
• Keep an up-to-date register of the laboratory recording all inputs and outputs of equipment and materials. c. Liquid Nitrogen Management (LN)₂)
• Start and operate the liquid nitrogen generator, and check its proper functioning as well as the actual production of liquid nitrogen;
• Proceed to draw-off or drain liquid nitrogen when the generator reaches its maximum capacity;
• Process orders for liquid nitrogen from external researchers. d. Laboratory maintenance and maintenance
• Monitor the temperatures of refrigerators and freezers and ensure that each appliance remains within the required temperature range;
• Verify the proper functioning of laboratory equipment and ensure that each user completes the equipment usage log;
• Immediately report any problems to the Head of the laboratory and collections, inform the IT department or the Logistics department in case of breakdown and provide assistance during maintenance or repair operations;
• Clean laboratory equipment every two weeks;
• Ensure cleaning of the laboratory premises once a week in low season and twice a week in high season, in coordination with the logistics department and maintenance staff. e. Operation and management of laboratory activities
• Communicate to researchers procedures for access to the laboratory, internal rules, procedures for recording research protocols and requirements for research authorizations;
• Ensure that each researcher authorized to access the laboratory complies with the rules in force and understands their responsibilities regarding access to premises and key management;
• Ensure compliance with the laboratory’s hygiene and safety rules and ensure that each user systematically records their entry and exit times;
• Ensure proper sorting of laboratory waste, compliance with waste disposal procedures by all users and proper disposal by maintenance personnel. f. Equipment, protocols and training of students
• Assist the laboratory’s research technicians during the installation and commissioning of new equipment, and participate in associated training;
• Ensure that students receive adequate training in the use of equipment necessary for their research or internship projects. g. Meetings, visits and reports
• Participate in internal meetings when necessary;
• Assist the Laboratory and Collections Manager in preparing data related to laboratory activities for reporting purposes, and participate in periodic monitoring and reporting meetings upon request.

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