Virology Intern at Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI)

The Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is recruiting a Virology Intern to join the Ndung'u Lab based at AHRI Durban Research campus. The Virology Intern will be responsible for supporting ongoing virology research on SARS-COV-2 by assisting in maintaining cultured cell lines and carrying Live Virus Neutralization assays on different SARS-COV-2 variants. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in Virology Research, Cellular Biology Techniques, and Laboratory Operations. To read more about Prof. Thumbi Ndung'u and the amazing work his research team does please follow this link https://www.ahri.org/org/scientist/thumbi-ndungu/.

Cell Culture Maintenance

• Prepare and maintain cell lines for virus propagation, ensuring proper culture conditions, sterility, and growth optimization.
• Perform regular cell passaging, media changes, and monitoring to maintain healthy cell cultures.

Virus Propagation

• Assist in the propagation of viruses within established cell lines under controlled conditions.

Experimental Setup:

• Prepare reagents, media, and solutions needed for experiments.
• Assist in conducting experiments to quantify viral titers and investigate virus-cell interactions.

Samples Handling:

• Organize and prepare samples for further experiments, such as Live Virus Neutralization (LVN) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) assays.

Data Recording and Analysis:

Record experimental data accurately and maintain detailed laboratory notebooks.

Adherence to Safety Protocols:

• Follow established safety protocols and guidelines for working with biohazardous materials.
• Practice good laboratory hygiene and maintain awareness of potential risks.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors or B.Tech degree in Biology, Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.

Advantageous

• Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Biology, Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Basic understanding of Cell Culture Techniques, Virology Principles, and Laboratory Practices.
• Ability to clearly document experimental procedures and results.

AHRI is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment equity. AHRI reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date in order to facilitate further searches. Furthermore, AHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment.