Research & Policy Development
Lab Quality Management Intern
TRACE Consulting is a Bangladesh-based strategic advisory and consulting firm delivering integrated solutions across international trade, trade facilitation, economic and regulatory policy reform, digital transformation, technology solutions, institutional capacity building, laboratory modernization, agricultural trade, logistics, and international development. We lead in supporting laboratories and technical institutions in achieving international accreditation and certification standards. Our team has hands-on experience guiding diagnostic and testing facilities through the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation process, helping clients strengthen quality management systems, technical competence, and documentation practices to meet global benchmarks. By combining regulatory expertise with practical, sector-specific knowledge, TRACE Consulting enables laboratories to build credibility, improve operational rigor, and position themselves for national and international recognition.
We also work closely with government agencies, development partners, regulatory authorities, public and private laboratories, research institutions, and private-sector organizations. Our approach goes beyond standardized or template-driven solutions. Through the integration of strategic insight, technical expertise, digital innovation, and institutional development, TRACE Consulting helps organizations build lasting capabilities, strengthen trust, and achieve measurable impact in an increasingly complex global regulatory and trade environment.
The Lab Quality Management Intern will support TRACE Consulting's work on laboratory quality systems, standards compliance, and technical documentation for assignments connected to agriculture, food safety, and trade. This role suits someone with a strong science background who is interested in the intersection of laboratory practice and quality standards and who can translate technical lab concepts into clear documentation and analysis for government and development-partner audiences.
What the Intern Will Gain
● Practical exposure to laboratory quality management and regulatory compliance work within a professional consulting environment
● Hands-on experience combining scientific knowledge with policy and technical writing
● First-hand exposure to how lab standards and quality systems inform government and donor-funded assignments
● Mentorship and feedback from experienced professionals
● Opportunity to build a portfolio of technical and regulatory writing samples
● Insight into the day-to-day operations of a consulting firm working on national and international projects
Internship Duration: Preferably 3 months, with possible extension based on performance
Number of Positions: One (01)
Compensation: BDT 20,000 to 25,000, as per skill set.
Application Instructions: Interested candidates should submit:
● A CV
● A short cover letter explaining their interest and relevant skills
● Relevant academic transcripts, lab reports, or writing samples (preferred)
Key Responsibilities
- Support the review and documentation of laboratory quality management systems (QMS) against relevant standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 15189, GLP, HACCP, or similar), depending on assignment
- Assist in mapping laboratory processes, SOPs, and testing protocols against national and international regulatory requirements
- Support gap analysis and readiness assessments for labs pursuing accreditation or certification
- Help compile and organize technical documentation, checklists, and compliance records for client and donor deliverables
- Conduct secondary research on laboratory standards, biosafety guidelines, and quality assurance frameworks relevant to agriculture, food safety, and biotechnology sectors
- Draft background notes, briefing papers, and sections of technical reports on lab quality and regulatory topics
- Support the preparation of training materials, guidelines, or SOPs for client-facing or government-facing assignments
- Use LLM-assisted research tools alongside traditional research methods to work efficiently and rigorously
- Assist senior consultants in preparing technical sections of proposals, reports, and case studies related to lab quality, food safety, or biotech policy assignments
- Support data collection, cleaning, and basic analysis in MS Excel related to lab testing data or compliance tracking
- Help maintain TRACE's internal repository of technical standards, reference documents, and case studies
- Provide logistical and note-taking support for site visits, stakeholder consultations, and technical workshops
- Undertake any other relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor
Required Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in, or a recent graduate of, a relevant undergraduate or graduate programme in Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, or a related field
- Basic understanding of laboratory practices, testing procedures, or quality assurance concepts (through coursework, lab work, or prior experience)
- Comfortable using large language model (LLM) tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to support research, drafting, and analysis
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and cloud-based productivity suites (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and equivalents such as Google Workspace)
- Ability to prepare clear, well-structured presentations and written documents independently
- Strong attention to detail, particularly with technical and regulatory content
- Ability to conduct secondary research independently and critically assess the reliability of sources
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
- A professional, collaborative attitude and willingness to learn
- Familiarity with laboratory quality standards or frameworks such as ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 15189, ISO 9001, GLP, GMP, or HACCP
- Hands-on laboratory experience through academic coursework, internships, or research projects
- Familiarity with Bangladesh's regulatory bodies relevant to food safety, agriculture, or biotech (e.g., BSTI, BAB, BFSA, Department of Agricultural Extension)
- Working knowledge of Canva or similar tools for preparing simple visual or presentation content
- Familiarity with MS Excel for basic data analysis, including formulas and simple charts
- Interest in agricultural trade, food safety, biosafety, or regulatory policy topics
- Prior research or laboratory experience gained through academic projects, internships, or voluntary work