CROP LABORATORY TECHNICIAN Vacancy (1 position)

Job Title: CROP LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Salary Scale: UR 6
Nature of employment: Contract

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Preparing and maintaining laboratory materials, equipment, facilities and work area in a clean condition.
• Setting-up, adjusting, calibrating, cleaning, maintaining, and trouble shooting laboratory and field equipment.
• Receiving and prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols in order to ensure effective storage, handling, and disposal of samples and specimens such as solutions, soils and plants for isolation, analysis and labeling.
• Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing as well as preserving, isolating and analyzing samples and specimens as directed.
• Processing samples and amplification of DNA, prepare culture media, centrifuge as well as grinding, drying, packaging, weighing, incubation, sterilization, digesting and extraction.
• Conducting standardized biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in plants and other products.
• Examine specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems through observation, examination, identification, isolation and purification of samples,
• Feed laboratory animals and insects.
• Conducting pathogenecity test, re-isolation (or multiplication and inoculum preparation,
• Conducting incidence and seventy assessment and participating in the screening of materials for disease damage and pest resistance,
• Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation.
• Providing input on the development of the annual budget, especially item and cost specifications.
• Providing input in the design and construction of facilities for undertaking experiments.
• Undertaking routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and facilities including installation and calibration.
• Requisition for laboratory materials and equipment according to approved budget,
• Disposal of waste products in accordance with safety regulations.
• Observing laboratory health and safety procedures.
• Analysing experimental data, interpret results and writing reports

Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants should possess a good Diploma in Agriculture or equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution. Working experience of two (2) years.

Tenure of Office: Four years contract renewable subject to satisfactory performance.
Age: Candidates should not be above 45 years
Apply for this job

Interested persons with the above requirements should submit hand-written applications together with a detailed curriculum vitae giving day-time telephone numbers and names and addresses of 3 (three) referees as well as copies of professional certificates and testimonials to the undersigned not later than Monday 20th September, 2010.

Applicants are advised to quote the reference number of the post applied for on the lop left hand corner of the envelope and on the application letter specifying the institute of preference which should be addressed to:

The Director,
Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute P, 0. Box 389, MBARARA