NGS Support Analyst

Organization profile

Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. Be part of a growing international organization that is dedicated to tackling this global challenge.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization with Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration and other causes and to assist them in doing so. To learn more about ICMP click here.

Vietnam Project

ICMP is working with the Vietnamese Government to improve institutional capacity to develop and sustain an effective DNA-based system to locate and identify missing persons from the Vietnam-American war. The project will provide advanced DNA extraction and testing methods adapted to the Vietnam context and implemented in Vietnam; support a long-term strategy in coordination with the government to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of human identification efforts in the context of the Vietnam-American War, and provide training and capacity building efforts in the area of human identification.

ICMP has recently established an office at the Vietnam Academy for Science & Technology (VAST) from where it will lead a program of training and support that enables VAST to establish a new Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) based DNA profiling and sequencing workflow.

Purpose of the Position

The NGS Support Analyst will contribute on the development, validation, implementation, accreditation and delivery of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) activities for the purpose of identification of human remains in Vietnam.

Working closely with and under the supervision of ICMP’s NGS Scientist and with ICMP Vietnam staff and CDI technical personnel, the NGS Support Analyst will develop and implement robust and reliable methods for the end-to-end NGS workflow in Vietnam, from exhibit reception, sample preparation and extraction, through to data management/databasing systems, analysis, interpretation and reporting. The NGS Support Analyst will assist in the accreditation of NGS methods to ISO17025, and their subsequent implementation into operational casework, developing relevant documentation (SOPs, processing forms) and training materials where required.

The NGS Support Analyst also supports procurement and the delivery of maintenance activities, continually working to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and capacity of ICMP and related or commissioned collaborations (both local and international).

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the NGS Scientist, the NGS Support Analyst’s duties and responsibilities will include, but will not necessarily be limited to, the following:

1. Establishing a reliable and robust NGS data workflow, including managing NGS data storage and archiving.

2. Development and implementation of documentation that satisfies ISO17025 requirements for NGS methods, including laboratory processes, data analysis and interpretation.

3. Development and delivery of training material related to all NGS methods and associated activities, which can be used by ICMP to share good practice recommendations with appropriate partners.

4. Support the procurement, delivery, installation and maintenance for equipment, consumables and supplies into Vietnamese partners, in accordance with the NGS Scientist and the Vietnam Program requirements.

5. Actively coordinate activities between VAST and ICMP labs – and where required, others - to establish, validate and accredit new procedures, including the English-Vietnamese translation of quality management documents, ICMP support and training materials.

6. Other related tasks.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Biological Sciences, Forensic Genetics, Bioinformatics or similar field.

• A minimum of two to four years of professional experience working in an ISO17025 accredited laboratory.

• Knowledge and experience in developing and validating methods.

• Experience in using and validating NGS instrumentation, in particular the Illumina MiSeq.

• Data analysis (using R, Python or similar), and interpretation of NGS-generated genetic profiles.

• Matching software such as FamLink, Familias, with familiarity of concepts such as linkage mapping, allele frequencies, genetic linkage, likelihood ratios and pedigree matching.

• Experience in working and coordinating with instrument suppliers.

• Proven experience coordinating scientific projects or programs of work.

• Professionally fluency in written and spoken Vietnamese and English.

• Ability to consecutive interpret and provide translation between English and Vietnamese, and vice versa.

• Ability to work in an international environment and to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality or gender.

• Proactive, confident with an ability to adapt in order to build relationships with team members and external collaborators.

• Ability to work both independently, in a disciplined manner, and a strong commitment to achievement of targets on deadline.

• Proficiency with Microsoft applications (MS Word, Excel, Teams, etc.).

• Attention to detail, with excellent communication and effective organizational skills.

• Physical and mental resilience, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast paced and changing work environment.

• Willingness and ability to travel to The Hague, The Netherlands, potentially within Vietnam or other locations.

• Commitment to the underlying objectives of the ICMP to help the authorities and families of the missing to account for missing persons in an impartial and transparent manner.

Expected start date: As soon as possible

VN close date: 15 September 2024.

Benefits

This is a project funded position under Vietnam Project with initial funding until 30 September 2025 with a competitive base salary at the LES 6 on the ICMP Vietnam salary scale. generous paid leave and extensive health insurance benefits for the incumbent and any eligible dependent. For more details, please see the ICMP website. The position is not eligible for expatriate benefits.

ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.

ICMP may cancel this recruitment without notice or may decide to offer a position with different duties and/or contract length.

Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.