Vacancy Number: RT/BecA/05/14
Department: Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA)
Duration: 6 months
Department: Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA)
Duration: 6 months
ILRI seeks to recruit a Research Technician. The specific
responsibilities for this position are in the area of mycology. This is a
national appointment reporting to the food safety and nutrition platform
leader.
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.
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 and Illumina next generation
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
- Work
as part of a team conducting capacity building and research with
scientists from universities and National Agricultural Research Institutes
from Eastern and Central Africa, and beyond. Specific responsibilities are
in the area of mycology;
- Conduct
research and implement laboratory operations at a logistical level
(including development of standard operating procedures, managing
consumables stocks and procurement, drafting risk assessments and
obtaining permits) under the supervision of the mycology/mycotoxins
project leader and in consultation with other team members;
- Incorporate
information from sample collections into project database;
- Ensure
observation of good laboratory practice including drafting risk
assessments and surveillance of laboratory users’ activity;
- Operate
laboratory equipment including microscopy, BSL2 cabinet, ELISA,
fluorometer;
- Prepare
laboratory chemical reagents and media;
- Carry
out routine tasks such as sampling and sample testing, contribute to the
development of laboratory protocols within the mycology/mycotoxins
platform, conduct data analysis and interpretation;
- Conduct
induction and periodical training of lab members and other partners.
Requirements
- MSc
degree in mycology or related field with at least two years working
experience;
- Expertise
in mycology, including: isolating and culturing fungi, morphological
identification;
- Good
knowledge in the preparation of solutions, media and sample extraction
procedures ;
- Experience
with experimental design and sampling procedures;
- Experience
developing and following detailed SOPs;
- Knowledge
of MS Office; and with statistical analyses and database usage;
- Knowledge
of Quality Assurance and control procedures;
- Ability
to communicate effectively, work independently and work productively in a
multidisciplinary, multicultural team;
- Ability
to adapt new technology and methods to enhance program effectiveness;
- Strong
English language skills, both written and spoken;
Experience in any of the following will be considered an
asset:
- Experience
with molecular biology and genetics;
- Experience
developing databases;
- Experience
conducting teaching and training.
Terms of Appointment
This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position, for the
period June-December 2014.
Job level and salary
This short term position is in job Grade 2C with a starting
gross salary of KES 93,134 per month. In addition ILRI currently offers
medical insurance for staff, Life insurance, Annual holiday entitlement of 2.5
days per month+ public holidays and any other benefits within ILRI’s National
Recruited Staff Scheme for Temporary staffs.
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 our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ before 23 May
2014. The position title and reference number REF: RT/BecA/05/14 should
be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer
