Research Technician

Vacancy Number: RT/FSZ/04/14
Department: FSZ
Duration: 1 year fixed term contract

ILRI seeks to recruit Research Technician to support research activities at the Food Safety and Zoonoses unit (FSZ) through laboratory analysis of biological samples collected by the various projects under this unit and ensure all the biological samples collected are analysed before the project outputs are generated.

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. www.ilri.org.

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. www.cgiar.org.

Responsibilities

• Receive and archive human and animal blood and serum samples when being delivered from the field in the Biosciences repository
• Screen all the serum samples collected from livestock and humans for the key zoonotic diseases being studied (including brucellosis, Rift Valley fever, coxiellosis and leptospirosis) using ELISA tests
• Record the results obtained using the Laboratory Information and Management Systems that have been developed in Biorepository;
• Keep records on the diagnostic kits being used
• Contribute to the development of the DDDAC project reports and the development of new concept notes.

Requirements

• BSc in biological sciences, biotechnology, veterinary medicine or related field;
• A minimum of two years’ experience on serological and molecular laboratory diagnostic techniques
• Good knowledge on data analysis;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to write scientific publications.

Terms of appointment:

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) positions based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus and is for a 1 years’ fixed term contract.

Job level and salary:

This position is job level 2B with a starting salary of KES83,606 per month. 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 Director through: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ before 24 April 2014. The position title and reference number RT/FSZ/04/14 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.