Next Generation Sequencing Facility Manager - Department of Virology - Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintaining and overseeing the NGS facility equipment, ensuring optimal functionality; 
• Coordinating sequencing projects from sample intake to delivery of results;
• Conducting quality control checks, validating NGS protocols, and optimizing workflows;
• Training and supervising junior staff members on sequencing procedures and best laboratory practices;
• Managing sequencing requests, sample tracking, and pooling strategies;
• Monitoring sequencing error trends and implementing corrective and preventive measures;
• Identifying potential risks for sequencing and implementing mitigation strategies;
• Liaising with relevant people for maintenance of the facility, e.g., facility director/consultants, laboratory coordinator, and supplier(s);
• Planning and ordering of reagents and consumables;
• Analysing and reviewing the NGS data after sequencing;
• Providing basic bioinformatic support to clients for data interpretation;
• Monitoring and managing data storage, the archiving process, and data transfer to clients;
• Serving as the primary point of contact for users, advising on experimental design, cost-effective strategies, and data interpretation;
• Communicating with the clients regarding sequencing requests, project feasibility, and timelines;
• Advising clients on appropriate sequencing protocols and experimental design.
• Attending to the client’s queries on sequencing.
• Organising workshops and training sessions;
• Staff/student orientation on sequencing;
• Drafting monthly newsletters;
• Guiding clients on sequencing data pipelines and downstream analysis.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• MSc in Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or related field;
• Two or more years working in an NGS facility, laboratory management, and data analysis;
• Experience in nucleic acid sequencing techniques;
• Hands-on experience with library preparation for diverse applications and protocol optimization/validation/troubleshooting;
• Proficiency in quality control (QC) metrics (e.g., Q30 scores, read alignment, coverage uniformity) and implementation of corrective measures for sequencing anomalies;
• Data management expertise, including storage solutions, metadata organization, and compliance with data security/privacy policies.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Phd qualification in Bioinformatics, Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or related field;
• HPCSA registration as a scientist
• Experience in managing an NGS sequencing facility
• Valid Driver’s licence