Research Technician - Aflatoxin Project

Vacancy Number: RT/BECA/AFLATOXIN/04/11

Department: Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA)

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Duration: 2 year contract renewable

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works at the crossroads of livestock and poverty, bringing high-quality livestock science, communications and capacity building to bear on poverty reduction and sustainable development. ILRI is one of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

ILRI has campuses in Kenya (headquarters) and Ethiopia, with other offices located in other regions of Africa (Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria) as well as in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, Vietnam) and East Asia (China).

ILRI also manages the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub at ILRI, a new centre for excellence in modern plant and animal biology in Africa. BecA is an initiative developed within the framework of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)/ African Union African Biosciences initiative.

It consists of a Hub based on the ILRI campus in Nairobi, Kenya and a network of regional nodes and other affiliated laboratories and organizations throughout the region. The BecA Hub facilities are world class, including a range of molecular, plant transformation, and genomics laboratories and equipment (e.g. 454 sequencing, Biosaftey level 3 laboratory, plant growth facilities).

The Hub hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas where new developments in science offer promise to address previously intractable problems constraining Africa’s development. Capacity building is a major goal of all activities. The scope covers agriculture and food security and their intersections with human health and nutrition, and the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources.

Further information is available at http://hub.africabiosciences.org/.

The BecA-ILRI Hub seeks to recruit a Research Technician whose key responsibilities will be as follows:

Responsibilities

• Conduct research under supervision of research scientists;
• Provide technical support to the aflatoxin research team, especially on mycotoxin diagnostics and fungal characterization
• Establishment and curation of databases containing overall project data;
• Culturing and characterization of fungal isolates;
• Genotyping and sequence analysis;
• Use of HPLC for identification of mycotoxins;
• Implement a barcoding system for sample and information storage;
• Near Infrared Spectroscopy for identification of fungal contamination and grain traits;
• Ensure observation of good laboratory practice including proper maintenance of equipment;
• Prepare purchase requisition of consumable items
• Assist in coordination of permit acquisition with the institute’s health and safety office

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Biological Sciences with 3 years experience or equivalent, or Bachelor of Science degree or Higher National Diploma in Biomedical Sciences with 5 years experience.
• Experience in a research environment, specifically including HPLC, ELISA and microbiology
• Experience with fungal culturing and characterization, NIR, and molecular biology is a plus.
• Knowledge of laboratory health and safety procedures.
• Computer literacy in MS Office programs is essential
• Knowledge of MS Access and bioinformatics would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team setting.
• Strong English language skills, both written and spoken.
• Experience with Aspergillus flavus in the context of maize;
• Experience using HPLC;
• Experience using Near Infrared Spectroscopy.

Terms of appointment: This is Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus and is on initial 2 year contract renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. Salary and benefits will be in line with those provided within ILRI’s NRS scheme.

Job level and salary : This position is job level 2D and starting salary is KES 140,833 per month. This is exclusive of other benefits provided by ILRI.

Applications: Applications addressed to the Human Resources Director, a cover letter, curriculum vitae and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience should be emailed to: recruit-ilri-Ken@cgiar.org by 5 May 2011.

The position title and reference number “RT/BECA/AFLATOXIN/04/11” should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email applications.

To find more about ILRI, visit our Website at www.ilri.org

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.