Research Officer

Opening date: 26/03/2013
Vacancy No: K26/03/2013

Program description: This program is collaboration between Kenya Medical Research Institute and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) whose mission is to conduct research and program evaluation in malaria, HIV and other diseases. It is within this mandate that the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV under HISS 28- Lab program has a following vacancy in the study.
POSITIONS: Research Officer (1 Position) MR 11
LOCATION: KEMRI Nairobi
REPORTS TO : LAB SUPERVISOR

Essential Requirements A Masters degree in science, statistics, biostatistics, sociology or arts. A Bachelor’s degree in laboratory sciences, biomedical Sciences or related biological sciences will be an added advantage. At least two years’ experience in molecular and immunologic techniques.
Desired qualities An understanding of serology and other molecular biology diagnostic techniques Excellent knowledge of medical laboratory assays. Excellent understanding of laboratory information systems Microsoft Word, Excel Powerpoint and Access literate Good command of Stata, SPSS or related software Excellent written and verbal communication in English and Swahili Good interpersonal and organizational skills. Attention to detail Skills in scientific writing and protocol development

Position description:
The successful applicant will be responsible for training of field staff, tracking and dispatch of results, answering telephone queries, email communication, monitoring of sms printers in the field, commodity supply chain management, communications with service engineers on equipment errors. S/he will also be expected to generate reports, conduct simple descriptive statistics, and identify research questions and draft protocols and publications. S/he will work closely with other laboratory staff, field workers, dispatch riders, and facilities and will report directly to the project principal investigator.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:
To ensure that infant diagnosis and viral load results are dispatched in a timely manner To ensure that adequate quality control/assurance measures with respect to samples, reagents and equipment are observed. To train health facility staff on Dried Blood Spot collection To monitor the performance of SMS printers To enter/record test results obtained in an organized and timely manner, and write summary reports based on the work conducted. To ensure that adequate stocks of reagents and other consumables are available in assigned sections and make requests for new supplies when necessary. To evaluate point of care technologies relevant to HIV in infants and adults To conduct statistical analysis of data To develop reports, publications, proposals and powerpoint presentations as needed. To carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the Principal Investigator.


Terms of Employment: A one-year renewable contract as per KEMRI scheme of service. Probation period for 3 months. Remuneration: Compensation is negotiable within a relevant grade, based on educational levels, relevant experience and demonstrated competence. The salary scheme is based on the KEMRI scales

Applications MUST 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 9th APRIL 2013
To: The Human Resources Manager KEMRI/CDC Program, P.O. BOX 1578, 40100, KISUMU or e-mail to recruitment@kemricdc.org or log into our web www.jobs.cdckemri.org

Internal candidates interested in applying for this position are strongly advised to access an internal candidate application form available in the KEMRI/CDC Intranet; print and process it through the project Managers and attach it before forwarding application to HR.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted