Medical Laboratory Graduate Interns at American Friends of Mutala – Harare, Harare

Africa Clinical Research Network (ACRN) is an African-led clinical research organization building the next generation of trial capacity across the continent. We work with existing hospitals, research units, and investigators to enable high-quality clinical research from investigator-initiated studies to late-phase and registration trials while strengthening local systems, skills, and infrastructure.

ACRN operates as a pan-African site management and research delivery platform, combining strong clinical operations, regulatory expertise, data and digital systems, and quality management. Our model is practical and embedded: we focus on making trials work in real settings, reducing friction for sites, sponsors, and regulators, and delivering reliable, audit-ready data.

We partner closely with governments, regulators, academic institutions, and industry to expand Africa’s role in global clinical research, while ensuring that studies generate local value through workforce development, institutional strengthening, and improved patient care.

At ACRN, you’ll work on meaningful, complex projects with global impact, alongside a multidisciplinary team that values rigor, accountability, and innovation. We are building something durable, ambitious, and distinctly African and we are looking for people who want to help shape it.

Application Deadline: 17 April 2026

About The Role

As a Medical Laboratory Graduate Intern within our Laboratory Operations (LabOps) team, you will gain hands-on exposure across both clinical and research laboratory environments. Working alongside experienced laboratory professionals, you will apply your knowledge in Medical Laboratory Sciences to real-world testing, quality, and research workflows in an ISO15189 and GCLP-compliant setting.

What You'll Do

• Perform routine laboratory procedures under supervision, following established standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety guidelines.
• Support pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, including specimen receipt, handling, processing, testing, and result documentation.
• Apply and develop technical laboratory skills in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and/or molecular techniques, as applicable to rotation sites.
• Assist in maintaining laboratory equipment, performing basic maintenance checks, and reporting any malfunctions or irregularities to senior staff.
• Adhere to ISO15189 and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) requirements in all assigned tasks, including documentation, traceability, and record-keeping.
• Contribute to quality control and quality assurance activities, including running and reviewing QC samples, participating in proficiency testing, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support compliance with laboratory accreditation and regulatory standards by following established policies, procedures, and safety protocols.
• Gain exposure to clinical trials and research workflows by assisting with sample tracking, data entry, and documentation in clinical research and laboratory information systems.
• Learn to integrate clinical and research perspectives by understanding how laboratory results inform patient management, study endpoints, and scientific investigations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members, including medical laboratory scientists, clinicians, researchers, and quality officers, to deliver reliable and timely laboratory services.
• Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior at all times, including patient confidentiality, data integrity, and responsible conduct of research.
• Participate in lab meetings, case discussions, and training workshops to strengthen scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Assist with inventory management, reagent preparation, labeling, and proper storage of samples and materials according to laboratory standards.
• Contribute to a safe working environment by following biosafety and chemical safety guidelines, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and accurate incident reporting.
• Support documentation and reporting tasks related to lab operations, including completion of logs, forms, worksheets, and electronic records with accuracy and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) degree or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Recent graduate
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), protocols, and detailed instructions with a high degree of accuracy.
• Strong attention to detail, documentation discipline, and respect for data integrity and patient confidentiality.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to interact professionally with laboratory staff and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment as well as independently under supervision.
• Basic computer literacy, with the ability to learn and work with laboratory information systems and research/clinical trial platforms.
• Flexibility to rotate across different laboratory units and adapt to varying workloads, schedules, and priorities.