Research Officer (Adv#12/2026)

icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. icddr,b as a values-based organization encourages women and people with disabilities.

The Genome Centre at icddr,b is a cutting-edge facility specializing in genomic research, pathogen surveillance, and public health genomics. Leveraging advanced sequencing technologies, it investigates infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and beneficial microbes, both in Bangladesh and globally. The centre’s scientists lead and collaborate on research as principal investigators, co-PIs, and co-investigators, partnering with national and international institutions as well as other divisions within icddr,b. Additionally, it plays a vital role in outbreak response, pathogen genomics, and strengthening genomic research capacity.

Position Description:

The Research Officer will report to the Senior Research Investigator and will be responsible for performing next-generation sequencing (NGS) for cancer diagnostics, including sample processing, library preparation, and quality control. Duties will also involve secondary and tertiary bioinformatic analysis of genomic data to generate clinical reports, identify actionable mutations, and recommend FDA-approved therapies. Additional responsibilities include training students and interns, and contributing to assay development and validation. All activities related to the research project(s) to ensure high-quality research by following standard operational practice and icddr,b organizational values and guidelines. S/he will be involved in –

Key Responsibilities:

• Process patient-derived samples (tissue, blood) for NGS, including nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, and quality control;
• Operate and maintain NGS platforms and related laboratory instrumentation;
• Perform secondary and tertiary bioinformatics analysis of cancer sequencing data to identify somatic variants, copy number alterations, and fusions;
• Generate and interpret patient-specific genomic reports, including annotation of clinically actionable variants and recommendations for FDA-approved therapies;
• Ensure compliance with laboratory accreditation standards (e.g., CAP, CLIA) and follow strict QA/QC and documentation protocols;
• Train and supervise students, interns, and junior staff in wet lab NGS techniques, safety protocols, and data interpretation;
• Collaborate with bioinformaticians, pathologists, and clinicians to validate assays, troubleshoot workflows, and integrate new technologies;
• Contribute to assay development, validation studies, and the implementation of new diagnostic NGS panels;
• Present findings at lab meetings, and scientific conferences, and assist in preparing manuscripts and grant proposals.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Masters in Microbiology/Molecular Biology/ Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/Genetic Engineering with an excellent academic record.
• At least 3 years of Lab research experience in the relevant field.

Location: Dhaka

Number of Positions: 01

Contract Type and duration:

• Short-Term Contractual Service Agreement; duration will be 06 months with a possibility of extension, subject to availability of funds and performance.

Salary & benefits:

• Tk.62,895/- per month (consolidated) inclusive of house rent and conveyance allowances;
• Festival bonus, income tax paid by icddr,b and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.

Notes of attention:

• Only short-listed candidates shall be invited for the written test/interview.
• icddr,b does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Interested candidates who fulfil the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by January 31, 2026