Lead Scientist, Baney Reference Laboratory
MCD Global Health envisions a world in which all people have access to high-quality and enduring solutions to improve and maintain their health and well-being. As a premier partner of choice and internationally recognized leader in applied public health, MCD Global Health specializes in delivering innovative, data-driven, and operationally feasible solutions that strengthen health systems and improve population health outcomes across the globe.
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of people worldwide through enduring, high-quality, cost-effective, and universally accessible public health solutions. MCD Global Health operates programs in the U.S. and internationally, with flagship initiatives in malaria control and elimination, digital health innovation, applied entomology, community health systems, and laboratory capacity strengthening.
About the Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project (BIMEP)
The Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project (BIMEP) is one of the longest-running and most impactful public–private partnerships in global health. For more than 21 years, the project has driven major reductions in malaria morbidity and mortality through evidence-based interventions, cutting-edge innovations, and operational research that informs national decision-making.
As the national reference center for malaria molecular surveillance and diagnostics, the Baney Reference Laboratory plays a central role in generating high-quality data for the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and for BIMEP’s adaptive management strategy. The laboratory supports advanced molecular diagnostics, resistance marker monitoring, parasite genotyping, serological surveillance, operational research, and test validation of emerging innovations.
The Lead Scientist will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the laboratory continues to operate as a center of scientific excellence for malaria control and elimination in Equatorial Guinea and beyond.
The Lead Scientist, Baney Reference Laboratory provides scientific, operational, and strategic leadership for all malaria diagnostic activities supporting BIMEP and the NMCP. This role requires an expert molecular biologist with demonstrated experience running complex laboratory platforms; designing, implementing, and validating molecular workflows; managing laboratory operations; ensuring QA/QC compliance; supervising scientific teams; and translating data into actionable policy and program insights.
The Lead Scientist is based full-time in Baney, Bioko Island, and will oversee the laboratory team (including 6 direct reports). The Lead Scientist reports regularly to the MCD Equatorial Guinea Country Director. This position will receive continuous support from, and operates under, the oversight of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, which provides scientific guidance, backstopping, methodological support, and collaborative research leadership.
Position type: Full-time; Non-Accompanied (family relocation benefits not included)
Grade Level: 6
Location: Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Key Responsibilities of the role include:
Scientific Leadership & Evidence Generation (40%)
Lead the development and implementation of molecular protocols for malaria parasite detection, quantification, species ID, genotyping, resistance markers, and advanced molecular assays.
Support the development and maintenance of biobanks for serological and molecular parasite monitoring over time.
Ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, and accuracy of all analyses conducted at the Baney Reference Laboratory.
Innovate and expand laboratory capabilities, including NGS, amplicon sequencing, molecular barcoding, and automation-assisted workflows.
Collaborate with epidemiologists, entomologists, and the Program Analytics and Learning Unit (PALU) to integrate laboratory data into national malaria surveillance and programmatic decision-making.
Serve as primary or contributing author on peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and scientific communications.
Identify opportunities for applied research, innovation pilots, and next-generation diagnostic tools aligned with elimination strategies.
2. Laboratory Operations, QA/QC, and Equipment Management (20%)
Oversee daily operations of the Baney laboratory, ensuring adherence to international biosafety and QA/QC standards.
Supervise calibration, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting of PCR platforms, qPCR machines, sequencers, biosafety cabinets, cold chain units, and other molecular equipment.
Develop and enforce SOPs, internal audit systems, and corrective action pathways.
Lead laboratory supply-chain forecasting, procurement, inventory management, reagent verification, and stock monitoring.
Coordinate external QA/QC proficiency testing with regional or global reference institutions.
3. Data Management, Analytics, and Bioinformatics Collaboration (10%)
Partner closely with the laboratory bioinformatician to manage, analyze, and interpret high-volume molecular datasets.
Ensure robust digital workflows for metadata capture, storage, version control, and data integrity.
Develop and refine analytical outputs that support national stratification, intervention targeting, and transmission dynamics modeling.
4. Capacity Building & Workforce Development (20%)
Train, mentor, and supervise laboratory technicians, junior scientists, and NMCP personnel in molecular biology, quality assurance, and research methods.
Lead training programs and technical workshops to strengthen national laboratory systems for malaria diagnostics and surveillance.
Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and continuous learning.
5. Stakeholder Coordination & Representation (10%)
Serve as the principal scientific representative of the Baney Laboratory to the NMCP, Ministry of Health, donors, and academic partners.
Work directly and collaborate effectively with Swiss TPH, which provides technical and scientific oversight, methodological support.
Collaborate with international research partners (e.g., Swiss TPH, Oxford, LSHTM, Texas A&M, University of Florida) on joint research initiatives.
Present laboratory findings at national and international meetings, workshops, and scientific conferences.
PhD in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Genomics, Public Health Laboratory Science, or a related field. A Master’s degree in these fields of study may be substituted, with 4 additional years of experience
At least 7–10 years of laboratory experience (with PhD qualification), including a minimum of 3 years in a leadership or supervisory position.
Proven experience operating and troubleshooting PCR, qPCR, next generation sequencing platforms, particularly Nanopore sequencing, and related molecular equipment.
Experience in novel molecular assay development and implementation to address changing research questions
Proven capacity to work in international consortia and to establish country to country collaborations
Demonstrated experience establishing and managing QA/QC systems and developing SOPs.
Advanced skills in molecular data analysis and interpretation; proficiency in R, Python, or related tools preferred.
Long-standing experience with malaria or infectious disease molecular surveillance in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
Ability to relocate full-time to Malabo, Bioko Island, for a multi-year assignment.
Fluency in English (spoken and written).