Vacancy Number: DPM/BECA/03/14
Department: BecA
Duration: 2 years
Department: BecA
Duration: 2 years
ILRI seeks to recruit a Diagnostics Platform Manager. This
is a new position and the focus will be on establishing a platform for the
development, validation and application
of molecular diagnostics tools with a
focus on animal and plant viruses that create major constraints in African
agriculture. This is a nationally recruited staff position reporting to the
Technology Manager of the BecA-ILRI Hub. The successful candidate will lead
technology applications and have considerable experience working the National
Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) on research and technology projects in
east and central Africa.
ILRI works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways
out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Research (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.
ILRI also manages the Biosciences eastern and central Africa
(BecA) Hub, 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. Further
information is available at http://hub.africabiosciences.org/
Responsibilities
-
Contribute to the establishment of a
diagnostics platform for the detection of crops and animal diseases;
-
Conduct advanced molecular biology experiments
focusing on the detection and quantification of animal and crops
pathogens;
-
Perform detailed data analysis and
interpretation;
-
Manage sample collections and repository for
the all diagnostics activities;
-
Manage the acquisition and/or preparation of
all reagents as part of the resources available for use in the platform;
-
Establish and curate databases containing
overall project data and all available resources;
-
Ensure that laboratory facilities are
well-stocked and resourced, including ordering and managing laboratory
supplies;
-
Ensure observation of good laboratory practice
including drafting risk assessments and monitoring of platform users’
activities;
-
Manages and organizes laboratory projects;
-
Ensure good laboratory practices including
proper maintenance of laboratory equipment and proper documentation of all
procedures and data
-
Create and update standard operating procedures
(SOPs);
-
Carry out routine tasks using established SOPs
the detection of plant and animal pathogens
-
Responsible for organizing and maintaining
laboratory and platform inventory;
-
Contribute to capacity building at the BecA hub
or at the NARS by training and supervising partners on the application of
the assays developed on the diagnostics platform, for use in their
research under the BecA initiative (visiting scientists, students and
other BecA-ILRI hub users).
-
Keep up to date with technical developments,
especially simple, cost-effective and robust diagnostic assays for rapid
screening of plant and animal pathogens;
-
Conduct induction and periodical training of
laboratory members and partners in country and possibly overseas;
-
Coordinate permit acquisition with the
institute’s health and safety office;
-
Serve as liaison with other platforms and
users;
-
Contribute to resource mobilization efforts of
BecA-ILRI hub;
-
Contribute in writing peer reviewed articles.
Requirements
-
MSc degree in biological sciences or related field
-
At least ten years’ relevant experience in leading technology
applications, laboratory management and operating a research service unit
-
Experience working with NARS on research and technology projects
-
Knowledge of next-generation sequencing strategies and methods with
experience working with molecular diagnostics of plant or animal diseases
-
Experience and understanding of the following areas is required:
o molecular biology methods and research
o genomics tools and their applications to
address a wide range of issues
o acquisition and dissemination of novel
molecular tools and technologies;
o bioinformatics;
-
Ability to adapt new technology and methods to enhance program
effectiveness;
-
Knowledge of quality assurance and laboratory health and safety procedures;
-
Ability to organize and coordinate technical activities of a research
platform;
-
Excellent people and organisational skills
-
Strong English language skills, both written and spoken;
-
Computer literacy in MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is
essential;
Terms of appointment:
This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) positions based
at ILRI’s Nairobi campus and is for a 2 years’ contract period.
Job level and salary:
An attractive salary and benefits package is on offer for
the candidate meeting all requirements. In addition to salary, ILRI offers
Medical insurance for staff and dependents, Life insurance, Pension at
12.5% employers contribution, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days+
public holidays within ILRI’s National Recruited Staff Scheme.
How to apply:
Applicants should send a cover letter and CV explaining
their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names
and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are
knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work
experience to the Human Resources Officer through: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ before 9
April 2014. The position title and reference number REF:DPM/BECA/03/14 should
be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.
