Thursday, September 12, 2013

Scientist Molecular Diagnostics

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a scientist whose focus will be the development and/or validation and application of molecular diagnostics tools with a focus on animal and plant viruses that create major constraints in African agriculture. This position is within the ILRI-BecA-Hub. 

ILRI  works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and Southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. 

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. 

ILRI also manages the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub at ILRI, the centre for excellence in modern plant and animal biology in Africa. BecA is an initiative developed within the framework of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)/ African Union African Biosciences initiative. It consists of a Hub based on the ILRI campus in Nairobi, Kenya and a network of regional nodes and other affiliated laboratories and organizations throughout the region. The BecA Hub facilities are world class, including a range of molecular, plant transformation, and genomics laboratories and equipment (e.g. 454 sequencing, Biosafety level 3 laboratory, plant growth facilities). The Hub hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas where new developments in science offer promise to address previously intractable problems constraining Africa’s development.  Capacity building is a major goal of all activities. The scope covers agriculture and food security and their intersections with human health and nutrition, and the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources. 

Responsibilities
  • Adaptation and development of diagnostics tools for use in African context (low- to high- tech range)
  • Contribute to the development of new research proposals and mobilize funding for further research;
  • Training of partners in the utilization of diagnostics tools;
  • Contribute to program reporting and managing relationship with partners;
  • Publish results of research in high quality peer-reviewed international journals;
  • Supervising junior staff, students and visiting scientists.
Requirements
  • A PhD degree in the field of molecular biology or related areas;
  • At least 3 years post-doctoral experience in academic or commercial environment;
  • Experience in molecular diagnostics of plant and/or animal disease;
  • Adaptation or development of molecular diagnostic tools;
  • Experience with molecular biology, including working knowledge of standard tools for sequence characterization;
  • Experience in immunology, immunological methods and serology;
  • Experience working in an advanced biotechnology research group;
  • Knowledge of genome sequencing strategies;
  • Solid working knowledge of various bioinformatics packages used for sequencing data analysis;
  • Previous successful proposal development;
  • Track record of publishing in high quality peer-reviewed articles;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to perform in a multicultural research environment and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
  • Excellent written and spoken English.
Position level: Scientist Level 1.
Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal contingent upon individual performance and funding.
Terms of appointment: Base salary from USD 45,000 per annum depending on skills and experience.
Benefits package which includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for: Education, Housing, Relocation, Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays.
*Benefits and salary are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.

Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae: a list of publications and names and addresses (including telephone, fax and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position title and reference number: REF: SMD/BECA/09/2013 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ on or before 10 October 2013.


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