Job Description
RESEARCH SCIENTIST, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS, AMR
PROGRAM KMR 6
a) Job specifications
The duties and responsibilities of the officer will entail:
i. Assist in the implementation of research projects and/or supervising designated
aspects of the work;
ii. Assist in carrying out fieldwork and laboratory experimental procedures;
iii. Assisting in organization of the internal scientific seminars;
iv. Carry out experimental and/or developmental work under the supervision of a
Senior Research Scientist or Assistant Principal Research Scientist;
v. Assist in the interpretation and validation of results;
vi. Guiding visiting scientific students /students on attachment
vii. Assisting in maintaining the scientific laboratory in good working condition;
Other responsibilities
1. Molecular and genomic lab
- Determine and recommend laboratory needs, including lab equipment,
supplies, and computer hardware and software systems.
- Develop and maintain clear and accurate standard operating procedures,
experiment records, and results for core and student projects.
- Coordinate activities in the molecular lab with other KEMRI research teams to
ensure that all personnel adhere to quality and safety standards
- Design and optimize molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee
their execution, compile, analyze and interpret results.
- Analyze a wide range of data from different sources (bacterial, fungal, viral)
- Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current and new
research.
- Develop and supervise the use of molecular and genomics databases and
administrate the genomic software and hardware on the server.
- Deploy existing bioinformatics pipelines, design new computational tools, and
structures and determine an effective data analysis framework.
2. Training
- Design assays and train students and staff in molecular, genotyping, and
whole-genome sequence analyses
3. Reporting and collaboration
- Input and manage data in program databases
- Perform basic data analysis using various statistical packages, analyze and
package data using appropriate data visualization tools.
- Prepare regular project reports for stakeholders and present research findings
in various forums
- Work closely with collaborators to analyze and disseminate genomic and
molecular data.
- Participate in writing manuscript and grants
4. General
- Operate and maintain essential laboratory equipment such as automated
ID/AST analyzers, centrifuges, Class II biological safety cabinets, PCRs, gel
analyzers, sequencers.
- Comply with all laboratory-specific protocols, relevant quality assurance
standards, safety, hygiene, and infection control policies.
5. Any other duties as allocated by the Program Manager and/or the Principal
Investigator (PI)
b) Person specifications
For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have;-
i. Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following disciplines:- Biomedical Sciences,
Bioinformatics, Applied Sciences, Public Health, any relevant Social Science, or
equivalent qualifications from a recognized Institution;
ii. Proficiency in computer application;
c) Key skills and competences
i. At least three years of active work in bacterial molecular biology and genomics
ii. The applicant must have good knowledge of laboratory operations and procedures
and should execute duties and responsibilities with minimal supervision.
iii. Competence in a scripting language and Unix with statistical packages such as R
and working in Linux environments
iv. Strong verbal and written communication skills
v. Experience with statistical analysis packages and electronic databases
vi. Experience with generating and analyzing genomic data (Sanger, Illumina, and
Nanopore)
vii. Strong molecular biology skills (DNA and RNA extraction, conventional and realtime PCR)
Terms of Employment: One (1) year renewable contract as per KEMRI scheme of
service and Probation period is the first 3 months.
Remuneration: Compensation is negotiable within a relevant grade, based on
education levels, relevant experience and demonstrated competency. The salary scheme
is based on the KEMRI scales.
Applications MUST include the following:
- Letter of Application
- Current Curriculum Vitae with telephone number and e-mail address
- Three letters of reference with contact telephone numbers and e-mail addresses
- Copies of Certificates and Transcripts
- Must have Certificate of good conduct
- Must have KRA Certificate of Tax compliance
- Must have Clearance Certificate from HELB
- Must have credit reference Bureau Certificate