Medical Laboratory Technologist Jobs Abu Dhabi UAE 2026

M42, a global healthcare group with more than 480 facilities in 27 countries, is hiring a Medical Laboratory Technologist for its National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abu Dhabi. The role sits across two departments, Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics and Microbiology, and combines routine molecular testing with the launch of two new microbial metagenomics service lines. You will handle specimen processing, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and real-time PCR, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows, with dedicated training provided for the new workflows. A bachelor’s degree in laboratory science, a valid or eligible DOH Abu Dhabi licence, and at least 3 years of clinical laboratory experience, including a year in molecular work, are needed.

M42: Healthcare group delivering care from primary care to advanced specialty treatment, using health technology and precision medicine

Global Reach: 480+ facilities across 27 countries with a workforce of 20,000+ professionals

NRL Growth: Since 2010, grown from one standalone reference laboratory to a network of 12 facilities across the UAE

Clients: Serves the M42 network and partners with 250+ clients, including private and government hospitals, clinics, corporates, and other reference labs

Standards: Works to CAP, ISO 15189, DOH, and laboratory safety requirements

Why This Laboratory Role in Abu Dhabi Stands Out in 2026

New Service Lines: Help set up two microbial metagenomics services, which is still a young area of clinical testing

Two Departments: Work across Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics and Microbiology, which builds a wider skill set than a single bench role

Training Provided: Dedicated training is offered for the new workflows, so you are not expected to arrive knowing all of it

Accredited Environment: Work in a lab operating to CAP and ISO 15189 standards, a strong credential on any CV

Position Overview

The Medical Laboratory Technologist – Molecular Microbiology supports both the Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics and Microbiology departments at the National Reference Laboratory. Your core work is routine molecular diagnostic testing, plus helping bring two new microbial metagenomics service lines into regular operation. In practice that means receiving and assessing clinical specimens, keeping identification and traceability accurate, extracting and quantifying DNA and RNA, running PCR and real-time PCR, and supporting NGS workflows from library preparation through quality control and sequencing setup. You will watch quality control results, flag discrepancies, and escalate technical problems when they come up. Because you work across two departments, you will also help prioritise urgent specimens so turnaround times are met. Throughout, you keep accurate records and follow CAP, ISO 15189, DOH, and laboratory safety requirements. It suits a careful technologist who likes molecular work and wants to grow into genomics.

Why This Role Matters: Behind every molecular result is a chain of small steps: a specimen identified correctly, an extraction done cleanly, a control that behaved as expected, a record that can be traced later. This role is where those steps happen. When a clinician is waiting on a result for a patient, the technologist’s accuracy and speed decide how soon the right treatment can start. The new metagenomics lines add another layer, because they widen what the laboratory can detect and help teams identify organisms that routine tests can miss. For a technologist, being part of that launch is a real chance to shape a new service rather than only run an existing one, in one of the UAE’s largest reference laboratory networks.

Key Responsibilities

Molecular Diagnostic & Microbiology Testing

• Perform molecular diagnostic and microbiology testing in line with approved SOPs and laboratory standards
• Receive, assess, and process clinical specimens, keeping identification, handling, and traceability accurate at every step
• Perform DNA/RNA extraction, quantification, PCR, and real-time PCR testing
• Prevent contamination through careful technique, good biosafety habits, and clean workflow design

NGS & Metagenomics Support

• Support NGS workflows, including library preparation, quality control, and sequencing setup
• Help implement and run the two new microbial metagenomics service lines as they move into routine operation
• Learn the new workflows through the dedicated training provided, and share what works with colleagues

Quality Control & Escalation

• Monitor quality control results and identify discrepancies as soon as they appear
• Escalate technical issues to the right person when required, with clear notes on what was seen
• Follow the lab’s quality procedures so results stay reliable and defensible

Cross-Department Coordination & Compliance

• Coordinate with both departments to prioritise urgent specimens and meet turnaround times
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and comply with CAP, ISO 15189, DOH, and laboratory safety requirements
• Manage workload across Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics and Microbiology without losing attention to detail

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Licensing

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Technology, or a relevant DOH-accepted qualification
• Valid DOH Abu Dhabi licence, or eligibility for licensure as a Medical Laboratory Technologist

Experience & Skills

• Minimum 3 years of clinical laboratory experience, including at least 1 year in molecular diagnostics, molecular microbiology, or genomics
• Hands-on experience with DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and real-time PCR techniques
• Good understanding of laboratory quality control, specimen handling, biosafety, and contamination prevention
• Good English communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage workloads across multiple laboratory departments

 About the National Reference Laboratory — M42

The National Reference Laboratory began in 2010 as a single standalone reference laboratory and has grown into a network of 12 facilities across the United Arab Emirates. It provides diagnostic services to the wider M42 network and works with more than 250 clients, covering private and government hospitals, medical centres and clinics, corporate organisations, and other reference laboratories. M42 itself delivers care across the full continuum, from primary care to advanced specialty treatment, using health technology and precision medicine with a focus on effectiveness, efficiency, and patient-centred outcomes. The listing is filed under Allied Health Professionals, reference number 7139.

Good to Know: The public listing does not state a salary or benefits package, so ask about compensation, licensing support, and relocation at the interview stage.

Who Should Apply?

• Molecular Laboratory Technologists: With a year or more in molecular diagnostics, molecular microbiology, or genomics and hands-on PCR experience
• Clinical Lab Technologists Moving Into Genomics: With 3+ years of bench experience who want to learn NGS and metagenomics with training provided
• DOH-Licensed or DOH-Eligible Professionals: Holding or ready to obtain an Abu Dhabi Medical Laboratory Technologist licence
• Quality-Minded Bench Scientists: Comfortable with CAP and ISO 15189 environments, QC monitoring, and traceable record keeping
• Multi-Department Team Players: Happy to move between Molecular and Microbiology and to prioritise urgent specimens

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