ILRI Cellular Immunologist

Vacancy Number: CI/VGB/01/2013
Vaccine Group, Biosciences
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal

Base salary from USD 45,000 – 55,000 per annum depending on skills and experience, with an attractive international benefits package (tax free*).

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. 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. www.cgiar.org.

The Position: ILRI seeks to recruit a scientist in immunology who will be a key member of a team working on the cattle disease East Coast fever (ECF), caused by the parasite Theileria parva. The goal of the team is to develop a new generation vaccine for the control of ECF. S/he should have experience in cellular immunology and early phase vaccine research to contribute to an international ECF vaccine consortium, led by ILRI with partners from UK, US, Belgium and Malawi. S/he will be involved in the discovery of new Theileria parva vaccine antigens targeted by bovine CTLs and testing them and already identified antigens for induction of CTL-based immunity to ECF.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute vaccine experiments using viral vectors including readouts: CTL assays, ELISPOT assays, proliferation assays, antibody titer determinations and FACS/qPCR of relevant immune markers;
• Organize, plan and execute PCR/ ELISPOT based MHC class I typing of animals from the field and from breeding programs for vaccine experiments;
• Immunoscreen for discovery of new CTL antigens in selected MHC haplotypes using overlapping peptide library in ELISPOT assay;
• Test selected CTL antigens in vaccine experiments;
• Interact and plan experiments with relevant technicians;
• Contribute to the development of new research proposals and mobilize funding for further research;
• Publish results of research in high quality peer-reviewed international journals;

Essential Skills and Qualifications will include:

• PhD in immunology or a related field;
• At least 2 – 4 years post-doctoral experience in immunology;
• Experience with immunogenicity studies is highly desired;
• Experience in CTL assays, proliferation assays, ELISPOT, FACS, PCR/qPCR;
• Experience in teamwork/ management of technicians in a multicultural environment;
• Experience in mobilization of funding;
• Track record of publishing in high quality peer-reviewed articles;
• Fluency in English is essential.

Post location: This position is based at ILRI’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

Position level: Scientist level 1 (4C).

Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.

Terms of appointment: ILRI offers a competitive international remuneration and benefits package which includes: 15% Pension, Medical insurance for staff and dependents, Life insurance, Education allowance for dependent children, Housing allowance, Relocation Allowance, Annual Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days+public holidays.*Benefits and salary are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.

Applications:

Applicants should address a cover letter and CV with full list of publications to the Human Resources Office 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. Email your application to ilri-CIVGB@cgiar.org on or before 28 April 2013. The position title and reference number: CI/VGB/01/2013 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

To find out more about ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.