The International Livestock Research institute (ILRI) is
seeking to recruit Postdoctoral Veterinary immunologist who will play a crucial
role in a project on African Swine fever vaccine development combined with
leading the development of a program on porcine immunology as it relates to
antigen identification and evaluation of novel vaccines at ILRI. This will make
use of the new ILRI enhanced BSL2 level experimental pig unit and adjacent
modern laboratories, including virus isolation facilities at ILRI. The
project is funded by the German Ministry for Cooperation and Development
(BMZ).
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 West and southern Africa and South and Southeast Asia.
The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and
research is conducted in 31 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are
supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.
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.
Key responsibilities
- Identification of novel candidate ASFV antigens based on binding of peptides to expressed porcine SLA sequences identified in collaboration with Danish collaborators
- Application of predictive software NetMHC Pan based on the SLA/peptide binding data to selected conserved ASFV genes to identify potential novel T cell epitopes
- Experimental infection of pigs with candidate vaccines and east African ASFV isolates and evaluation of immune responses by methods including, antibody responses and T cell assays including gamma interferon ELISPOT
- Establish additional porcine immunological assays including definition of porcine T cell subsets and cytokine bioassays
- Develop antigen presentation assays for assessment of T cell responses in vaccinated or infected animals based on immortalized autologous fibroblasts
- Attempt manipulation of East African ASFV by established techniques to create live attenuated viruses as candidate vaccines
- Develop proposals work on host virus interaction and vaccine evolution for additional porcine viral diseases that are currently under-researched in Africa
Requirements
- Degree in Veterinary Medicine or equivalent
- PhD in Veterinary Virology
- Significant record of publication in international refereed journals;
- Experience in sampling and experimenting infection of pigs and previous experience of working on porcine viral diseases will confer a strong advantage
Post location: This position is based at ILRI’s
Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Duration: 24 months with the possibility of renewal,
contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.
Position level: Post-doctoral Scientist (4A).
Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive international
remuneration and benefits package which includes: 15% Pension, Medical
insurance for staff and dependents Life insurance, Education allowance for
children, Housing allowances, Annual Home leave allowance, Annual holiday entitlement
of 30 days public holidays.
Base salary starting from USD 35,000 per annum
*Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with tax
regulations of country of citizenship.
Applicants: Applicants should provide a cover letter
and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone 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: PDVI/BIOTECH/11/13 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 15th December 2013.
Suitably qualified women and citizens of developing
countries, with experience of working internationally, are particularly
encouraged to apply.
