Research Assistant (Lab, Field)

INTRODUCTION

History of Establishment:

The Tropical Medicine Research Center (TMRC) in Vietnam focuses on Talaromycosis, a disease caused by the dimorphic fungus Talaromyces marneffei (Tm). This is an endemic invasive fungal pathogen in Southeast Asia and one of the seven globally important endemic mycoses. The disease has a high mortality rate, with one in three patients not surviving, mainly due to delayed diagnosis. Current culture-based methods can take up to 28 days and have low sensitivity, limiting treatment effectiveness.

The research program is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thuy and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Hoa, in collaboration with Duke University (USA), and implemented at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine (PNTU). Its overarching goals include:

- Evaluating new culture-independent diagnostic methods that can overcome current limitations and progress toward commercialization;

- Conducting pioneering research combining community sero-epidemiology with environmental sampling to investigate epidemiological links between human exposure to Tm and the presence of the fungus in soil and air in both highland and lowland regions.

The research program comprises three major projects:

1. The “Talaromyces marneffei (Tm) Infection” Project

This project compares rapid diagnostic techniques and assesses the relationship between human exposure and the environmental circulation of Tm in highland and lowland areas. It is funded by Duke University through a non-refundable grant, approved by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, and assigned to PNTU as the lead institution until June 30, 2027, with a total budget of USD 965,217.

Key activities include establishing biosafety laboratories, staff training, implementing PCR and antigen detection assays, collecting over 600 clinical specimens and 960 environmental samples.

The project aims to identify effective diagnostic methods, estimate the prevalence of Tm and geographic exposure risk, develop high-quality human resources, establish a fungal research center, strengthen international collaboration, and produce multiple scientific publications.

2. The Mp1p-D4 Rapid Test Evaluation Project

This project aims to evaluate the Mp1p-D4 rapid test for diagnosing and screening T. marneffei infection among HIV-positive patients. It is funded by Duke University through a non-refundable grant and led by PNTU, with a total budget of USD 529,848 and implementation through December 31, 2028.

Objectives include determining the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the Mp1p-D4 test among late-stage HIV patients with or without clinical symptoms; assessing feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability for community screening.

Activities include ethics approval, research team establishment, technical training, testing on multiple specimen types (blood, serum, urine), surveys with patients, healthcare workers, and policymakers, and data analysis.

The Research Assistant (or Senior Research Assistant) will be a member of the research team. The selected candidate will be primarily responsible for coordinating and conducting laboratory and field activities, as well as performing data analysis for scientific publications.

The project is expected to form a specialized research team, further strengthen collaboration with Duke, publish at least two international papers, and lay the foundation for implementing T. marneffei screening in Vietnam.

3. The LAmB-FAST Project

The LAmB-FAST project is a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of Liposomal Amphotericin B (LAmB) combined with Flucytosine (5FC) for treating Talaromycosis. Funded by Duke University through a non-refundable grant, the project is led by PNTU and implemented at PNTU and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) in Ho Chi Minh City, with a total budget exceeding USD 3.62 million and implementation through December 31, 2031.

The main objective is to compare the efficacy of a single 10 mg/kg dose of LAmB with the standard 14-day Amphotericin B deoxycholate regimen, while also assessing the benefits of combining 5FC. The ancillary STOP-SHORT study evaluates a strategy of discontinuing Itraconazole based on HIV viral load instead of CD4 cell count.

The project also aims to establish an internationally compliant data management system, train the research team according to GCP standards, strengthen capacity for treating Talaromycosis in HIV patients, promote global collaboration, and contribute to updates of national treatment guidelines.

Primary Funder: All projects are funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) through Duke University (USA) in collaboration with PNTU.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT (LAB, FIELD)

Job Summary:

The Research Assistant (or Senior Research Assistant) will be a member of the research team. The selected candidate will be primarily responsible for coordinating and conducting laboratory and field activities, as well as performing data analysis for scientific publications.

Key Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate ongoing research projects, including:

• Participate in research project design and development of study-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);

• Train and work with laboratory staff in sample and data collection;

• Analyze microbiology, parasitology, and molecular biology data;

• Organize meetings and prepare reports.

• Conduct relevant laboratory and field research activities.

• Participate in and conduct training with other research staff.

• Perform systematic reviews of related published literature for presentations and scientific publications.

Requirements:

• Applicants should have at least a Bachelor’s degree (BSc) with research experience, or a Master’s degree (MSc) in Molecular Microbiology or Mycology; or hold a Medical or Pharmacy degree with relevant experience in microbiology/mycology, laboratory, and field research.

• For appointment as a Senior Research Assistant, applicants should hold a PhD in Molecular Biology, Medical Microbiology/Mycology, Epidemiology, or other related biomedical sciences, with laboratory and field research experience

• At least two years of hands-on experience in research activities related to microbiology/mycology, including:

- Developing research protocols;

- Implementing research projects;

- Writing research reports and preparing manuscripts for publication.

• Understanding of the epidemiology and transmission of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; willingness to learn; self-motivation; attention to detail.

• Ability to work under tight deadlines.

• A team player with organizational skills, patience, dedication, tact, professionalism, and discipline.

• Keen interest in self-development and a strong commitment to a scientific career.

• Good teamwork and training skills.

• Ability to coordinate projects through to completion.

• English proficiency equivalent to IELTS ≥ 6.5.

Preferred Qualifications candidates have:

• Publications in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.

• Experience working with research partners in developing countries or government institutions.

• Research skills in genomics and bioinformatics of infectious diseases.

Interest:

Competitive salary, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) through a collaborative research project with Duke University, USA.

Benefits include:

- Health and social insurance;

- Additional medical insurance package for hospitalization and clinical services;

- Opportunities for domestic and international travel related to project activities.

Required application documents:

- Cover letter and Curriculum Vitae in English (combine into one file), including full employment history, relevant skills for the applied position, and other pertinent information.

Number of positions: 02 (01 lab, 01 field)

Working condition: TMRC Project - Unit of Microbiology and Parasitology, Center for Biomedical Testing and Research, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City

Hours of work: Full-time, regular office hours (annual leave according to the university’s regulations).

Tenue: 2 years, including a 2-month probation period.