Laboratory Scientist at Ifakara Health Institute (IHI)

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is a leading research organization in Africa with a strong track record in developing, testing and validating innovations for health. Driven by a core strategic mandate for research, training and services, the Institute's work now spans a wide spectrum, covering biomedical and ecological sciences, intervention studies, health-systems research, service delivery and policy translation.

• IHI, in collaboration with the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), is implementing the National Micronutrient Biomarker Surveillance (NMBiS) initiative. As part of this initiative, a nationwide mapping study is being conducted to assess the availability, quality, and suitability of remnant biological samples stored in health facilities, research laboratories, and biobanks for future micronutrient surveillance.
  
  Position Summary
• Ifakara Health Institute is seeking a qualified Laboratory Scientist who will be under the NMBiS Project to support the implementation of the Remnant Sample Mapping Study across selected regions in Tanzania Mainland. The successful candidate will report to the Project Coordinator, the candidate will be responsible for conducting facility assessments, evaluating biological sample storage conditions, documenting sample inventories, assessing specimen quality indicators, supporting data collection activities, and contributing to study reporting.The position requires an individual with strong laboratory and research experience, knowledge of specimen management systems, and familiarity with biological sample storage and quality assurance procedures.

Responsibility:

• Participate in planning and implementation of remnant sample mapping activities across study sites.
• Support in supervising the team in conducting laboratory, health facilities and biobank assessments using standardized study tools and SOPs.
• Assess availability, types, volumes, and storage conditions of remnant biological samples.
• Verify sample inventories and evaluate sample quality indicators, including storage temperatures, freeze-thaw history, and metadata completeness.
• Conduct interviews with laboratory managers, biobank coordinators, and facility staff.
• Support digital data collection using Open Data Kit (ODK) and other study platforms.
• Ensure compliance with study protocols, SOPs, ethical requirements, and quality assurance procedures.
• Prepare field reports and contribute to data cleaning and validation processes.
• Support stakeholder engagement meetings, training workshops, and dissemination activities.
• Assist in developing technical study reports and presentations related to study findings.
• Perform any other project-related duties as assigned by the Project coordinator.

Skill :

• Strong understanding of laboratory quality management systems and specimen handling procedures.
• Knowledge of biological sample storage requirements and cold chain management.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively within Tanzania.
• Commitment to IHI core values Integrity, Initiative, Equity, Excellence, and Accountability.

Qualification Required:

• Master's or Bachelor degree in laboratory sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Public Health Laboratory Sciences, or related field from a recognized institution.

Experience :

• At least two (2) years of experience in laboratory research, specimen management, biobanking, or public health biomedical research.
• Experience working with biological specimens including serum, plasma, whole blood, dried blood spots (DBS), and urine samples.
• Experience in field-based research and health facility assessments will be an added advantage.
• Experience with electronic data collection systems such as ODK, KoBotool or similar platforms is desirable.

Preferred Language Skill :

• Fluent in both English and Kiswahili.
  
  Remuneration
• An attractive and competitive remuneration package shall be offered to the successful candidates as per IHI salary scales.
  
  
  Equal Employment Opportunity
• Ifakara Health Institute is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We prohibit discrimination of any kind during recruitment and employment. All employment decisions are based solely on job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications, in compliance with the labor laws of Tanzania.
  
  
  Disclaimer!
  Ifakara Health Institute does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. Please disregard written or oral request for a job offer or an interview that you believe is or might be fraudulent or suspicious.

Job Opening date : 14-Aug-2026

Job closing date : 23-Aug-2026