Project description: The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) are working to strengthen malaria laboratory capacity at
KEMRI’s Centre for Global Health Research in Kisumu, western Kenya. The candidate will be
responsible for validating and conducting laboratory analyses to support a project designed to
detect phenotypic HRP2/3 gene deletions in
Plasmodium falciparum using a novel multiplex
bead-based assay (MBA) and genotypic confirmation using next generation sequencing (NGS).
S/he will also be involved in using NGS to evaluate molecular markers of antimalarial drug
resistance and other relevant markers of interest in collaboration with academic collaborators.
The candidate will be expected to assist with other laboratory projects as assigned and will be
expected to develop his or her own research agenda and write at least one grant to be submitted
no later than the start of the 8th month of taking up this position.
Position: Assistant Principal Research Scientist , Job Group, KMR 4, (1 position)
Location: CGHR-Kisumu with fieldwork in western Kenya
Reporting to: Head of the Malaria Division, CGHR.
Job Summary: The officer will be responsible for leading the adaptation of laboratory
technologies from the CDC’s Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, and NOMADs Nanopore
Technology group to KEMRI/CGHR, will work in collaboration with and be supported by CDC
laboratory scientists in Atlanta and Nairobi, as well as other external collaborators. S/he will be
responsible for ensuring that laboratory quality standards are followed when conducting
laboratory research including lab protocols and relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),
implementation of competency tests, management of lab accreditation status and maintenance
of appropriate laboratory information management system (LIMS. S/he will also take lead in
writing laboratory-research grants, oversee lab-related research studies, write manuscripts and in
training and supervision of laboratory staff and graduate students. S/he will be responsible for
the preparation of updates of lab-related projects for monthly lab research meetings.
a) Job Specifications
The duties and responsibilities of the officer will entail: –
i. Providing day to day guidance in a specialized laboratory or given field of study;
ii. Establishing a specific line of research including writing grant applications to maintain
the specified research projects;
iii. Providing full supervisory responsibility for junior professional and technical staff attached
to his/her research projects;
iv. Guiding training and development of staff and students attached to his/her research
projects;
v. Developing of research proposals and sourcing for grants in relevant research thematic
areas;
vi. Implementing laboratory research projects and/or supervise designated aspects of the
work;
vii. Coaching and mentoring of junior scientists in formulation of research ideas, proposal
writing and sourcing for grants;
viii. Monitoring and evaluating implementation of lab research projects;
ix. Preparation of project progress reports and submission of the same to the CDC on-site PI
and Head of Malaria Division in Kisumu and other CDC collaborators in a timely fashion;
x. Disseminating and translating lab research findings for evidence-based policy formulations
and implementation;
xi. Making a significant contribution in devising, planning work and defining research
priorities;
xii. Identifying technology with potential for intellectual property protection; and
xiii. Developing a training schedule and evaluation scheme for all lab-related trainings such as
good clinical and laboratory practice (GCLP), biosafety, internships.
b) Person Specifications
For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have: –
i. At least eight (8) years relevant work experience;
ii. Bachelor’s/ Master’s Degree in any of the following disciplines: – Biomedical
Technology /Sciences, Microbiology, Parasitology, Immunology, Molecular Biology or
equivalent qualifications from a recognized Institution;
iii. Doctorate degree in any of the following disciplines: Molecular Biology, Immunology,
Population Genetics, Genetic/Genomic Epidemiology, Molecular Epidemiology or
equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution;
iv. Developed at least twelve (12) proposals, six (6) of which have been funded;
v. Published at least six (6) articles in refereed journals with at least three (3) articles as the
first or lead author;
vi. Strong hands-on experience with current laboratory methods in molecular
biology/immunology in malaria or other childhood diseases in Kenya or sub-Saharan
Africa.
vii. Knowledge and use of at least one statistical software package, e.g. STATA, R, SPSS, or SAS
viii. Management Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution;
ix. Experience working in collaboration with multiple agencies/partners.
c) Key Skills and Competencies
i. Strategic thinking;
ii. Proposal writing skills;
iii. Analytical skills;
iv. Lab technique troubleshooting skills
v. writing skills with evidence.
vi. Communication and reporting skills
vii. Interpersonal and negotiation skills
viii. Team player
Terms of employment: This is a one (1) year contract, renewable subject to availability of funds,
with a probation period for the first 3 months. Salary is negotiable within the KEMRI scheme of
service depending on education, experience and demonstrated competency.
Successful candidates will be required to provide the following: Certificate of good conduct,
Higher Education Loans Board compliance certificate, KRA Tax compliance certificate, Ethics and
Anti-Corruption Commission clearance.
Kindly attach your CV, cover letter, copies of certified academic and professional certificates,
testimonials and other relevant documents.
All the applications to be done through KEMRI Website www.kemri.go.ke/e- recruitment –
E-Recruitment Portal on or before 24th July, 2024, 5.00 p.m.
Please visit the KEMRI web site www.kemri.go.ke for more details on the advertisement.
KEMRI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITED TO DIVERSITY; PERSONS WHO
ARE ABLED DIFFERENTLY, WOMEN, YOUTH AND THOSE FROM MARGINALIZED AREAS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. KEMRI DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF ITS
RECRUITMENT PROCESS INCLUDING APPLICATION, INTERVIEW AND PROCESSING OF
OFFER LETTER.IF ASKED FOR A FEE, REPORT SUCH REQUEST IMMEDIATELY.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
