Research Technician – Biosciences

Posted: 21 Aug 2013 05:22 AM PDT Vacancy Number: RT/BIOS/08/13 Location: Nairobi, Kenya Duration: 2 years with the possibility of renewal The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. http://www.ilri.org/. CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. http://www.cgiar.org/ Background The Vaccine biosciences program hosts ILRI’s Vaccine Platform (ILVAC). Its goal is to build a hub of research excellence at ILRI dedicated to developing vaccine-based solutions to reduce disease burdens that limit livestock productivity in smallholder and pastoral farming systems among others. ILRI vector unit is a research support dedicated to the rearing of a colony of ticks with many species and stocks which transmit pathogens to livestock.  The unit has ability to run large scale vaccine trials and also provides large quantities of tick material. It also support deployment of ECF live vaccine for East ,Central and southern African region by supporting production of Muguga cocktail vaccine stabilate for infection and treatment (ITM) method of immunization. In addition the unit support epidemiological studies on tick borne diseases and also provides training in tick rearing, identification and dissections. Job Purpose ILRI seeks to recruit a Research Technician to provide support in vaccine research and development. Responsibilities Maintain a clean tick colony with many tick species and stocks by routinely feeding them on rabbits and cattle, Maintain  accurate records of tick fed on rabbit and cattle for both colony maintenance and experiments, Enforcement of quarantine regulations and standard operating procedure (SOPs) to ensure that there is no cross contamination of ticks, Monitoring health of experimental and feeding performance of ticks on the host, Sampling of experimental animals as per the protocols and examination of biopsy smears, Dissection of ticks to extract salivary glands for assessment of infections in the ticks, extraction of various organs as per experimental request, Dissection of infected ticks to extract salivary gland for in vitro infections, Supervise and ensure that all Tick unit activities are carried out efficiently, Assist collaborators in development of protocols related to tick work, Prepare recharges for all experimental work carried out in the Unit, Tick identification for collaborators and training of graduate students, interns and other collaborators in tick dissections and identification. Requirements A Bachelor’s degree in Biological science. At least 2 years’ experience in acarology. Experience in basic tick identification or dissection will be an added advantage Good team leader Good planner with ability to prioritize tasks Creativity and ability to work under minimum supervision Terms of Appointment This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus.  The position is on a 2 year fixed term contract. Job level and salary This position is job Grade 2B with a starting salary of KES 83,606.00 This is exclusive of other benefits provided by ILRI. Location: The position will be based at the ILRI, Nairobi. How to Apply Applicants should send a cover letter and CV combined as one document explaining their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Applications should be submitted online to the Human Resources Director at our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/job/board  on or before midnight Nairobi time on 3rd September, 2013. Only online applications will be considered, and only short listed candidates will be contacted. The position title and reference number REF: RT/BIOS/08/13 should be clearly marked on the cover letter. To find more about ILRI, visit our Website at http://www.ilri.org/