Head of Laboratory of Environment and Food Safety
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected.
The Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) is a Cambodian non-for-profit research institution established in 1953, IPC is today a scientific research establishment declared of public utility placed under the high patronage of the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia and under the responsibility of the Institut Pasteur on the scientific and technical levels. The IPC is a member of the Pasteur Network, which brings together 33 institutes present on five continents. It shares the Pasteurian values and the ethical charter to which the Pasteur Institutes are bound. The IPC has more than 300 employees, including about 30 expatriates of 10 nationalities and includes 6 research units. It carries out research activities in health biology, public health and service activities (Medical Biology Laboratory, vaccinations and water and food analyses) and training.
The lnstitut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) is recruiting a full-time Head of Laboratory of Environment and Food Safety, based in Phnom Penh.
Why Join IPC?
The Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and empowering workplace. We promote transparency, non-discrimination, and professional development for all staff.
By joining IPC, you will:
- Work in an internationally collaborative and respectful environment
- Contribute meaningfully to public health and high-impact scientific research
- Access continuous learning opportunities tailored to your career path
- Be part of a team that actively supports gender equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Join an institution recognized for its integrity, innovation, and global scientific partnerships
Position Overview:
The Head of the Laboratory of Environment and Food Safety at the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) provides strategic leadership and scientific oversight to ensure the delivery of high-quality testing services in the fields of environmental, food and water safety. The position is responsible for managing laboratory operations, maintaining technical excellence, and ensuring compliance with national and international standards, including ISO/IEC 17025.
The Head of Laboratory leads a multidisciplinary team and promotes a culture of quality, continuous improvement and scientific integrity. The role includes oversight of the laboratory quality management system, method development and validation, staff development, resource planning and stakeholder engagement.
By supporting IPC’s mission to protect and improve public health through reliable laboratory services, applied research and evidence-based decision-making, the Head of Laboratory contributes to strengthening food safety, environmental monitoring and public health surveillance in Cambodia. The position also plays a key role in promoting innovation, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
The Head of Laboratory may be invited to participate in working groups established by various ministries in the field of food safety.
Recruitment conditions:
- Language: Fluency in Khmer and English is required; knowledge of French would be appreciated.
- Position: Full-time.
- Contract: 1-year contract (renewable)
- Start Date: Available to start on as soon as possible
- Remote Work: Possibility to work remotely, subject to job role and management approval Benefits:
- Benefits:
- Private health insurance including family coverage and life insurance
- NSSF (Health Care, Occupational Risk, Retirement).
- Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and End-of-Year Bonus
- Annual leave plus an additional day every three years.
- Multicultural environment with staff from different nationalities.
- Opportunities for growth and career advancement.
Main Responsibilities:
The Head of the Laboratory of Environment and Food Safety is responsible for ensuring the scientific, technical, operational and quality management of the laboratory, in line with the objectives set by IPC Management and with applicable national and international standards, including ISO/IEC 17025.
The main responsibilities of the Head of Laboratory include:
- Ensure that the objectives defined by IPC Management for the Laboratory of Environment and Food Safety are achieved;
- Provide scientific and technical leadership for the laboratory’s activities in the fields of food safety, water quality and environmental testing;
- Supervise and monitor the laboratory’s technical activities and ensuring that analyses are performed according to validated methods and quality requirements;
- Review and validate test reports before their release;
- Develop, implement and validate new analytical methods according to institutional needs, client requests, public health priorities and regulatory requirements;
- Maintain participation in external quality assessment schemes and proficiency testing programmes;
- Monitor and improve the laboratory’s quality management system, in compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and IPC quality policies;
- Ensure the proper management, planning and coordination of the laboratory’s technical, administrative and logistical activities;
- Ensure appropriate stock management through regular inventory follow-up and timely procurement of reagents, consumables and other laboratory supplies;
- Prepare and update the laboratory equipment plan, including equipment needs, maintenance, calibration, replacement and investment planning;
- Ensure that staff competencies are assessed, maintained and developed;
- Establish, implement and monitor training plans for laboratory staff;
- Contribute to the recruitment, integration, supervision and evaluation of laboratory staff;
- Promote a culture of quality, safety, scientific integrity and continuous improvement within the laboratory;
- Ensure good customer relations, including communication with clients, follow-up of requests, technical advice and management of complaints where applicable;
- Supervise projects, tenders, contracts and service agreements related to the laboratory’s activities;
- Ensure effective relationships with suppliers, partners, regulatory authorities and relevant ministries;
- Represent the laboratory, when required, in technical meetings, expert groups or working groups related to food safety, environmental monitoring and public health;
- Contribute to the development of the laboratory’s service activities, visibility and financial sustainability;
- Ensure compliance with biosafety, chemical safety, waste management and occupational health requirements applicable to the laboratory.
Candidate Profile:
The successful candidate must possess the following qualifications:
- Master’s degree or higher degree in Food microbiology or Food chemistry or a related field,
- Expertise in Food Microbiology or Chemistry
- Strong in management skills
- Experience of working in an accredited laboratory with ISO17025
- Influence in English (reading, writing and speaking)
- Mastering informatics tools (MS word, excel, access, power point, …)
- Strong in organization skills, synthesis capacity, initiative, flexibility and communication
The complete application includes a cover letter – with salary expectations, copies of diplomas if any, work certificates, curriculum vitae with a recent photo, Identity Card photocopy – all certified documents to the originals – are to be sent to the Human Resources department of Institut Pasteur du Cambodge #5, Monivong Blvd, Phnom Penh or by email to: [email protected], phone number: 092 777 665.