We are seeking a Research Laboratory Specialist who will be responsible for supporting laboratory research activities for SMART4TB TA2 Therapeutics studies. The portfolio will include complex TB and HIV clinical research studies being implemented in partnership with academic institutions at each study site, with a primary focus of supporting the laboratory aspects of the portfolio. This position is a critical member of a fast-paced international team of researchers, administrative staff, and study coordinators.

Project summary

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Supporting, Mobilizing, and Accelerating Research for Tuberculosis Elimination (SMART4TB) project. SMART4TB, a five-year $200 million cooperative agreement, to identify more effective methods and tools for finding, treating, and preventing tuberculosis (TB) in 24 priority countries for TB programming. This initiative will build research capacity in high TB burden countries by supporting studies that evaluate novel approaches, interventions, and tools to combat TB–including diagnostic tests, new treatment drugs and regimens, socioeconomic and health system challenges, methods to interrupt TB transmission, and TB vaccines readiness and delivery. Led by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the SMART4TB international consortium partners are the University of California, San Francisco, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Treatment Action Group, Perinatal HIV Research Unit (South Africa), YR Gaitonde Medical, Educational and Research Foundation (India), Walimu (Uganda), Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, and Victory Network (Vietnam).

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

SMART4TB Consortium-specific Research Support

• Support the laboratory implementation and operational research of the TA2 clinical trials.
• Facilitate communications between sites, JHU, and other consortium partners.
• Assist with the development of laboratory procedures, manuals, and guides.
• Develop systems for data review and quality indicator reviews.
• Develop laboratory research forms, particularly as they relate to pediatric-specific data.
• Assist with the development of a REDCap database.
• Facilitate study-specific laboratory monitoring activities for quality assurance.
• Prepare USAID reports for missions and DC offices, including preparing data tables, summarizing protocol accruals and retention, and presenting publications associated with the consortium.
• Assist the SMART4TB consortium with secondary analyses.

General Laboratory and Research Support

• Perform complex laboratory assay work for TB diagnostic work in a Biosafety Level 3 environment, including evaluations of trial-related platforms, specimen and isolate biobanking, and other translational research.
• Provide protocol development, study implementation, and research dissemination support to complex clinical studies, maintaining a good working knowledge of all assigned projects.
• Review, edit, and finalize study-related documents (protocols, case report forms, study SOPs) in collaboration with PIs and study teams.
• Conduct literature reviews, draft data tables, and conduct scientific writing/editing to support research dissemination. Format abstracts/manuscripts and submit them to conferences/journals.
• Assist in developing effective visualizations, posters, and presentations for scientific conferences and donor reporting.
• Assist research teams in performing/coordinating quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Prioritize building effective working relationships with US and international team members and collaborators in service of common goals.

Additional Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to function independently with a high degree of motivation.
• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to work well with other professionals with minimal supervision and be comfortable being part of a diverse professional team.

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.

• Three years laboratory experience performing relevant techniques.

• Knowledge of laboratory research practices and principles.

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, reference managers, spreadsheets, and word processing.
• Master's Degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Master's Degree in related science.
• Experience with clinical trials.

Classified Title: Research Laboratory Specialist 
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MB  
Starting Salary Range: $41,300 - $72,300 Annually ($55,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/School of Medicine Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​SOM DOM Infectious Disease  
Personnel area: School of Medicine