Sanergy
Job Title: Research
& Development Assistant
Contract
type: One year fixed term contract
Start date: January 2017
Location: Kinanie (Machakos)
Start date: January 2017
Location: Kinanie (Machakos)
Sanergy is
an award-winning social venture that builds healthy, prosperous communities by
making hygienic sanitation accessible and affordable in Africa’s urban informal
settlements.
We franchise
the toilets to community residents, who run them as commercial toilets;
landlords, who offer them as a value-added service to their tenants; and
schools, to ensure children always have access to a safe sanitation option.
We provide
critical support services – such as access to finance, business analytics,
training and aspirational marketing and branding. We collect the waste
regularly and safely remove it from the community for treatment.
We convert
the waste into valuable end products, such as organic fertilizer and
insect-based animal protein, which we sell to Kenyan farms.
We launched our first toilet in November 2011, and we now have a network of over 800 active Fresh Life Toilets run by over 400 Fresh Life Operators.
We launched our first toilet in November 2011, and we now have a network of over 800 active Fresh Life Toilets run by over 400 Fresh Life Operators.
We have
collected and converted over 9,000 tons of waste. At the same time, we have
built a team of over 250 people. For our work, we have been recognized by Fast
Company as one of the 10 Most Innovative Companies in the World Doing Social
Good and one of the 10 Best Companies in Africa.
Job Purpose Statement: Black Soldier Flies (BSF) larvae efficiently assimilate nutrients in biodegradable wastes (including fecal sludge) into insect biomass rich in high quality protein and lipids.
Job Purpose Statement: Black Soldier Flies (BSF) larvae efficiently assimilate nutrients in biodegradable wastes (including fecal sludge) into insect biomass rich in high quality protein and lipids.
Our focus over
the next few months is the construction of a larger processing unit and
increasing the size of our BSF colony in order to upscale production volumes
while establishing optimized production methods.
We are looking for an R&D Assistant on 12-month contract, supporting the BSF R&D team in testing new equipment and carrying out experiments to address bottle necks and challenges faced in our insect production facility in Kinanie.
Key duties and responsibilities
We are looking for an R&D Assistant on 12-month contract, supporting the BSF R&D team in testing new equipment and carrying out experiments to address bottle necks and challenges faced in our insect production facility in Kinanie.
Key duties and responsibilities
- Working
closely with the BSF production team, analyzing production data,
identifying and prioritizing bottlenecks in production, and developing
potential solutions
- Conduct
literature reviews and compile relevant references for assigned research
projects and related topics
- Develop
research protocols for laboratory and field experiments for feedstock
testing, optimization of egg production, hatching and larvae yield
- Collaborate
closely with BSF production team, incorporating feedback into experimental
design and provide clear instructions and training on field experiments
- Follow
all safety policies and ensure that the required level of occupational
health and safety is observed while conducting experiments
- Provide
reports and regular progress update on experiments following the standard
reporting template including data analysis, interpretation and
recommendations
- Take
samples and conduct routine laboratory analysis (i.e. moisture, pH, EC,
microscopic images) for feedstock, insect samples and end products
- Record
data, follow up on field data collection, laboratory results as well as
external results.
- Carry
out data entry and analysis, update relevant data sheets accordingly and
share results with all relevant stakeholders
- Close
collaboration within BSF team, across teams and with external stakeholders
during site visits and research projects
- Attend
all scheduled meetings and company functions as required
- Undertake
other assigned duties and projects as required
Job Requirements
- Minimum
of Second Class Upper Division Bachelor’s Degree in Entomology, Biological
Sciences, Environmental Sciences or equivalent from a recognized
university
- Proficient
in all Microsoft Office Applications.
- Basic
laboratory skills.
- Knowledge
on HACCP, six sigma and DOE will be considered an advantage
- Experience
in lab work and conducting research projects; an added advantage
- Experience
in insect rearing is an advantage.
- Demonstrated
capacity for self-organization.
- Innovative,
great interpersonal skills, team player and able to work with minimum
supervision.
- Detail
oriented and strong in analytical
thinking.
- Willing
to work in remote area.
More qualitatively, we are looking for someone who has the
desire to take on a new challenge in a pioneering context.
We believe
that we are on the cusp of transformative change and we seek people who believe
their knowledge and skills will bring about that change.
How to Apply
Application Deadline: 15th December, 2016