ILRI Vacancy: Biorepository Manager

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Biorepository Manager to manage all aspects of the bio-repository samples, infrastructure and database. The incumbent will ensure consistent sampling protocols and high quality metadata associated with each sample; assist in capacity building of field staff and liaise with scientists to ensure derived data and aliquots retain linkage to the primary sampling; liaise with ILRI Environmental Occupational Health & Safety (EOHS) office over regulatory issues and with scientists, collaborators and legal office over IP issues.

ILRI works with partners worldwide to enhance the roles that livestock play in food security and poverty alleviation, principally in Africa and Asia. The outcomes of these research partnerships help people in developing countries keep their farm animals’ alive and productive, increase and sustain their livestock and farm productivity, find profitable markets for their animal products, and reduce the risk of livestock-related diseases www.ilri.org

ILRI is a not-for-profit institution with a staff of about 700 and in 2016, an operating budget of about USD83 million. A member of the CGIAR Consortium working for a food-secure future, ILRI has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, a principal campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and offices in other countries in East, West and Southern Africa and in South, Southeast and East Asia www.cgiar.org

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the cryopreservation, safe storage, accurate labelling and maintenance of samples in the ILRI Bio-repository.
• Liaise with suppliers and engineering department to ensure safe and reliable operation of the low temperature storage systems.
• Ensure maintenance, security and development of sample storage, sample tracking and metadata databases.
• Develop protocols and work with scientists to ensure high quality field sampling, including efficient methods for meta-data capture.
• Ensure that data associated with samples is stored, managed and made accessible in ways that meet emerging CGIAR data curation, exchange, accessibility and intellectual property standards and guidelines.
• Work with scientists and technicians to provide material and information that they require and ensure that data systems meet their needs.
• Significant field travel to ensure that best practice is followed in sample collection, handling, aliquoting, transport and data management.
• Work with ILRI’s Environmental Occupational Health & Safety (EOHS) department to ensure highest standards of health and safety within the cryogenic storage facility.
• Ensure that the standard operating procedures used in the Bio-repository comply with best Biorepository practices.
• Provide reports on Bio-repository activities.
• Provide training to students and scientists on Bio-repository management.
• Develop, manage and track the Biorepository budget and expenses.
• Supervise the Biorepository team staff.
• Support in proposal writing.

Requirements

• BSc in Computer Science or a biological science. Master’s degree in informatics-related area (but NOT in bioinformatics alone) under exceptional circumstances, informatics experience equivalent to an MSc may be considered.
• 5 years relevant field experience in data systems development, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) use and customisation, laboratory sample management, field sampling
•  Experience in clinical or/and veterinary laboratories.
• Ability to work in complex teams of collaborators.
•  Knowledge of Server management, database management, database design, web service development, basic biology, health and safety issues associated with biological materials, cryopreservation methodologies, communication with scientists and working with complex, multidisciplinary research teams.

Terms of Appointment

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus. It is open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Job Level

This position is job level 2D, ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes; pension, medical and other insurances for ILRI’s Nationally Recruited Staff.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV 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 to the Director, People and Organizational Development through our recruitment portal http://ilri.simplicant.com/ on or before 24 June 2016. The position title and reference number REF: BM/AB/06/2016 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites 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.