KEMRI Research Scientist - Genomics and Bioinformatics Jobs in Kenya

KEMRI Research Scientist - Genomics and Bioinformatics Jobs in Kenya

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a State Corporation established in Kenya in 1979 through the Science and Technology (Repealed) Act, Cap 250 of the laws of Kenya and as currently established and duly accredited to continue to operate as such, under the Science Technology and Innovation Act, 2013 as the national body
responsible for carrying out research in health in Kenya.

KEMRI’s vision is “to be a leading center of excellence in research for human health,” and its mission is “to improve human health and quality of life through research, capacity building, innovation, and service delivery.”

The KEMRI/Walter Reed Project, Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases (DEID) Antimicrobial Surveillance Program tracks antimicrobial resistance patterns among World Health Organization priority target clinical pathogens in hospitals across Kenya and performs genomic analysis to examine the epidemiology, genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in multidrug resistant bacteria.

The AMR group also explores novel solutions to multi-drug resistant bacteria by identifying natural or engineering bacteriophages as candidates for environmental control or human therapy. KEMRI seeks to recruit dynamic, innovative and experienced persons to fill the following positions in the DEID Project in AMR Surveillance Program.

KMR 6 (2 positions)

Reports to: Program Manager

Job specifications

The duties and responsibilities of the officer will entail:

Assist in the implementation of research projects and/or supervising designated aspects of the work;

Assist in carrying out wet and dry laboratory experimental procedures;

Carry out experimental and/or developmental work under the supervision of a Senior Research Scientist or Assistant Principal Research Scientist;

Assist in the interpretation and validation of results;

Guiding visiting scientific students /students on attachment

Assisting in maintaining the scientific laboratory in good working condition;

Other responsibilities

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 laboratory projects.

Coordinate activities in the molecular lab with other KEMRI research teams to ensure that all personnel adhere to quality and safety standards

Analyze a wide range of genomic data from different sources (bacterial, fungal, viral) from isolates or complex samples.

Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current and new research.

Deploy existing bioinformatics

pipelines, design new computational tools, and structures and determine effective data analysis framework for diverse projects.

Training

Design assays and train students and staff in whole-genome and metagenomic sequence analyses

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

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.

Any other duties as allocated by the Program Manager and/or the Principal Investigator (PI)

Person specifications

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have;-

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;

Proficiency in computer application;

Fulfil the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Key skills and competences

At least one year of active work in bioinformatics and genomics

The applicant must have good knowledge of laboratory operations and procedures and should execute duties and responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Competence in a scripting language and Unix with statistical packages such as and working in Linux environments

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Experience with statistical analysis packages and electronic databases

Experience with analyzing genomic data (Sanger, Illumina, and Nanopore)

Skills in DNA and RNA extraction, conventional and real-time PCR and generating Sanger or Illumina whole genome sequences is an added advantage

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; KEMRI Research Scientist - Genomics and Bioinformatics Jobs in Kenya

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