Kenya Medical Research Institute
Program description: This program is collaboration between the Kenya
Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
Due to its continued growth, the
KEMRI CGHR HIV Research Branch has the following vacancy in the HIV-Research
Laboratory.
Position: Senior Research Officer (Laboratory Manager)
(MR 12) (1 position)
Vacancy No: K01/01/16
Location: Kisumu
Reporting To: HIV-R Branch Chief
Essential Requirements:
- M.Sc. with 3 years of laboratory experience or
Ph.D. of Science degree in Virology, molecular biology or related relevant
field from a recognized institution.
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in research
laboratory (preferably in a virology and/or bacteriology laboratory,
sequencing, drug resistance in plasma, breast milk RNA viral load and
genotyping viruses)
Desirable Qualities:
- Technical understanding and practical
experience in DNA extraction, purification and cleavage and finger
printing, polymerase chain reactions (PCR), virus cell culture,
extraction, viral protein isolation, RNA extraction, reverse transcriptase
reactions, nested PCR, cloning, purification and gene fragment analysis.
- Understanding of other clinical tests
including early infant diagnosis by DNA, quantification of viral load, HIV
serological diagnosis, blood chemistry, complete blood count,
Immunophenotyping and analysis of hematological parameters in a clinical
setting.
- Understanding of HIV drug resistance genotypic
testing using various validated assays and sequence analysis utilizing
various platforms to determine HIV drug resistance mutations following
genotyping and subsequent laboratory interpretation of the results.
- Good judgment in problem solving, awareness of
own limitations and strong internal motivation essential.
- Experience in managing a laboratory.
- Experience in grant proposal writing.
- Publication experience
Responsibilities and Specific Tasks:
The Laboratory Director will be
expected to:-
- Deputize the Branch chief in the overall
laboratory management of the Branch
- Overseeing all the laboratory activities and
programs to ensure appropriate support to branch clinical trial and
collaborative studies
- Supervising all laboratory staff to ensure
smooth running of the laboratory
- Review of all laboratory documents including
annual reports, budgets, and staff appraisals.
- Coordination of the laboratory Peer Review
Group whose mandate is to oversee all research activities including grant
proposal writing, manuscript writing, protocol development, etc.
- Team lead of laboratory scientific
communication including manuscript, abstracts, program pamphlets etc.
- Drafting of manuscripts, review, preliminary
data analysis and submission to appropriate journal.
- Mentorship of staff in terms of manuscript and
grant writing.
- Protocol preparation, design, review and
submission to centre scientific committee.
- Coordinate responses to comments arising from
submitted manuscript/protocol by journal/SSC/ERC reviewers.
- Ensure maintenance of the laboratory Quality
Management System.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the
Branch Chief.
Terms of Employment: Selected
candidates will be offered one-year renewable contract as per KEMRI guidelines
including a probation period for the first 3 months of employment.
Remuneration: Compensation is negotiable within a relevant grade, based on education level, relevant experience and demonstrated competency.
The salary scheme is based on the
KEMRI guidelines.
Applications should include the following:
- Letter of Application (indicate vacancy
number)
- 3 letters of reference
- Current Resume or CV, with names and contact
information (telephone and e-mail address)
- Copies of Certificates or transcripts
Applications are due no later than:
29th January 2016
To:
The Human Resources Manager
KEMRI/CDC Program,
P.O. Box 1578, 40100,
Kisumu
or e-mail to recruitment@ke.cdc.gov
