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.
