The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is seeking a qualified Research Scientist to be based in Turkana County (Kakuma/Kalobeyei). The successful candidate will design, optimize, and implement molecular laboratory protocols and bioinformatics pipelines, supporting multi-disciplinary health research.
Key Responsibilities
- Laboratory Protocols: Design, optimize, and implement molecular laboratory protocols for pathogen, vector, host, and environmental sample processing.
- Workflow Coordination: Coordinate laboratory workflows including nucleic acid extraction, PCR assays, sequencing library preparation, quality assurance, and sample tracking.
- Bioinformatics Analysis: Perform comprehensive bioinformatics analyses of high-throughput sequencing datasets including quality control, genome assembly, alignment, variant detection, phylogenetic analysis, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and population genomics.
- Computational Pipelines: Develop, optimize, and maintain reproducible computational pipelines using Python, Linux shell scripting, and workflow management systems.
- Data Integration: Integrate genomic, epidemiological, entomological, environmental, and climate datasets to investigate disease transmission dynamics and climate-health interactions.
- Statistical Visualization: Perform advanced statistical analyses and develop informative visualizations, dashboards, and scientific figures for reports, publications, and stakeholder engagement.
- Database Management: Manage research databases and ensure data quality, integrity, reproducibility, and compliance with institutional and national data governance policies.
- Translation of Findings: Interpret genomic findings and translate complex scientific results into actionable recommendations for project partners, county governments, and humanitarian stakeholders.
- Reporting & Collaboration: Contribute to manuscript preparation, conference presentations, technical reports, and grant applications. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful implementation of laboratory and computational research activities.
- Training & Mentorship: Provide mentorship and technical training in molecular laboratory methods, bioinformatics, and scientific programming to project staff and students.
- SOP Maintenance: Maintain laboratory documentation, bioinformatics workflows, analytical reports, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Compliance: Ensure compliance with biosafety, biosecurity, ethical guidelines, and the Kenya Data Protection Act (2019).
Vacancy Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Computational Biology, or a related biological science (Mandatory).
- Experience: At least 2–3 years of research experience in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, or related disciplines (Mandatory).
- Technical Lab Skills: Demonstrated experience in molecular laboratory techniques including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis, library preparation, and DNA/RNA quality assessment (Mandatory).
- Sequencing Experience: Hands-on experience working with High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) platforms such as Illumina, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, PacBio, etc. (Mandatory).
- Bioinformatics: Strong bioinformatics skills for processing and analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) datasets, including quality control, genome assembly, read mapping, variant calling, transcriptomics, metagenomics, or phylogenomic analyses (Mandatory).
- Operating Systems: Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments and shell scripting (Mandatory).
- Programming: Strong programming skills in Python for genomic data analysis, workflow automation, and statistical computing (Mandatory).
- Tools: Experience using bioinformatics tools such as BWA, Bowtie2, Minimap2, SAMtools, BCFtools, GATK, BEDTools, FastQC, MultiQC, Kraken2, SPAdes, IQ-TREE, Nextflow, Snakemake, or equivalent tools (Mandatory).
- Data Visualization: Experience in statistical analysis and data visualization using Python (Matplotlib, Plotly, Seaborn), R (ggplot2), or equivalent analytical platforms (Mandatory).
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent scientific writing, communication, and presentation skills
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Strong team player capabilities
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online by visiting the KEMRI e-recruitment portal at erecruitment.kemri.go.ke.
