Kemri Hiring 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

Posted On: Friday, 19th July 2024

Application Deadline: 24th July 2024, 5.00 p.m.

Terms of Employment: One-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.

Job Summary:

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are collaborating 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).

The candidate 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.

Additionally, the candidate will assist with other laboratory projects as assigned and will be expected to develop their 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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The officer will be responsible for:

1. Laboratory Leadership: Leading the adaptation of laboratory technologies from the CDC’s Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, and NOMADs Nanopore Technology group to KEMRI/CGHR, in collaboration with CDC laboratory scientists in Atlanta and Nairobi, and other external collaborators.
2. Quality Standards: Ensuring laboratory quality standards are followed, including lab protocols, relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), implementation of competency tests, management of lab accreditation status, and maintenance of an appropriate laboratory information management system (LIMS).
3. Grant Writing and Research: Leading in writing laboratory-research grants, overseeing lab-related research studies, writing manuscripts, and training and supervising laboratory staff and graduate students.
4. Project Management: Providing day-to-day guidance in a specialized laboratory or given field of study, establishing a specific line of research, including writing grant applications to maintain the specified research projects.
5. Supervision and Training: Providing full supervisory responsibility for junior professional and technical staff attached to research projects, guiding training and development of staff and students attached to research projects.
6. Research Development: Developing research proposals and sourcing grants in relevant research thematic areas, implementing laboratory research projects, and/or supervising designated aspects of the work.
7. Mentorship: Coaching and mentoring junior scientists in formulation of research ideas, proposal writing, and sourcing for grants.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of lab research projects, preparing project progress reports, and submitting them to the CDC on-site PI and Head of Malaria Division in Kisumu and other CDC collaborators in a timely fashion.
9. Dissemination of Findings: Disseminating and translating lab research findings for evidence-based policy formulations and implementation.
10. Strategic Contribution: Making a significant contribution in devising, planning work, and defining research priorities.
11. Technology Identification: Identifying technology with potential for intellectual property protection.
12. Training Development: Developing a training schedule and evaluation scheme for all lab-related training such as good clinical and laboratory practice (GCLP), biosafety, and internships.

Job Specifications:

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:

1. Experience: At least eight (8) years relevant work experience.
2. Educational Qualifications:
   • Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in Biomedical Technology/Sciences, Microbiology, Parasitology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, or equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution.
   • Doctorate degree in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Population Genetics, Genetic/Genomic Epidemiology, Molecular Epidemiology, or equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution.
3. Research Proposals: Developed at least twelve (12) proposals, six (6) of which have been funded.
4. Publications: Published at least six (6) articles in refereed journals, with at least three (3) articles as the first or lead author.
5. Laboratory Methods: Strong hands-on experience with current laboratory methods in molecular biology/immunology in malaria or other childhood diseases in Kenya or sub-Saharan Africa.
6. Statistical Software: Knowledge and use of at least one statistical software package (e.g., STATA, R, SPSS, or SAS).
7. Management Course: Management Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution.
8. Collaboration Experience: Experience working in collaboration with multiple agencies/partners.

Key Skills and Competencies:

1. Strategic thinking
2. Proposal writing skills
3. Analytical skills
4. Lab technique troubleshooting skills
5. Writing skills with evidence
6. Communication and reporting skills
7. Interpersonal and negotiation skills
8. Team player

Required Documents:

• Certificate of good conduct
• Higher Education Loans Board compliance certificate
• KRA Tax compliance certificate
• Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission clearance
• CV
• Cover letter
• Copies of certified academic and professional certificates
• Testimonials and other relevant documents

Application Process:

All applications to be submitted through the KEMRI Website E-Recruitment Portal on or before 24th July 2024, 5.00 p.m.

For more details on the advertisement, please visit the KEMRI website.

Equal Opportunity:

KEMRI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. Persons with disabilities, 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.