VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT KEMRI/CDC RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH COLLABORATION

Opening date: 4/05/2012                                                    Vacancy No.K53/05/12

Program description: This program is a collaboration between Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a goal to conduct research in pneumonia, febrile illness, diarrheal illness, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases.  It is in this mandate that HISS Branch -GAP LAB has a vacancy.

Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV started in 2006 to accelerate confirmation of HIV status among exposed infants through molecular diagnostic techniques. This is an essential service provided free by the Kenya Medical Research Institute in support of the National Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Program. To continue providing the service effectively, the Project is seeking to fill the following positions in collaboration with KEMRI-CDC:

POSITIONS: Laboratory Technologist II (4 Positions)   MR 8

Location: KEMRI Nairobi and KEMRI Alupe 

Essential Requirements :

·         Higher National Diploma in Biomedical Sciences or related biological sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or biology from a recognized Institution/University.

·         Skills in Polymerase Chain Reaction Technology

·         Experience in DNA PCR testing.

·         Experience in management of laboratory information systems

·         Registered with KMLTTB or in the process of board registration.

Desired qualities

·         Knowledge of medical laboratory assays. Previous experience in a busy molecular HIV Diagnostic laboratory is an added advantage.

·         Understand National Laboratory Guidelines in ART management

·         Appropriate training in Bio-safety procedures.

·         Competence in DNA PCR and basic clinical and molecular biology diagnostic techniques

·         Good laboratory practice skills with attention to detail and adherence to standard operating procedures.

·         Must be computer literate

·         Excellent written and verbal communication in English and Swahili

·         Good interpersonal and organizational skills.

Position description: The successful applicants will be responsible for receiving samples, processing, analyzing, qualitative and quantitative DNA analysis, storage, tracking and dispatch of results, answering telephone queries, email communication, monitoring of sms printers in the field, commodity supply chain management, communications with service engineers on equipment errors. S/he will work closely with other laboratory staff, field workers, dispatch riders, and facilities and will report directly to the project principal investigator.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

·         To carry out the daily testing of samples that involves the following procedures:

i) Sample reception and logging into EID database,

ii) DNA extraction and PCR procedures

iii) Qualitative and quantitative analysis

iv) Dispatch of results

·         To ensure that adequate quality control/assurance measures with respect to samples, reagents and equipment are observed.

·         To train health facility staff on Dried Blood Spot collection

·         To monitor the performance of SMS printers

·         To enter/record test results obtained in an organized and timely manner, and write summary reports based on the work conducted.

·         To ensure that adequate stocks of reagents and other consumables are available in assigned sections and make requests for new supplies when necessary.

·         To organize sample storage and maintain clear records of the same

·         To comply with all policies and regulations related to safety, cleanliness and infection control in the laboratory.

·         To carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the Principal Investigator.

Terms of Employment: 3 months  contract as per KEMRI scheme of service. Remuneration: Compensation is negotiable within a relevant grade, based on educational levels, relevant experience and demonstrated competence. The salary scheme is based on the KEMRI scales

Applications should include the following:

·         Letter of Application (indicate vacancy number)

·         3 letters of reference

·         Current Resume or CV, with names and contact information (telephone and e-mail address)

·         Copies of Certificates or transcripts

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APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 10^th May 2012 to: the Human Resources Manager KEMRI/CDC Program, P.O. BOX 1578, 40100, KISUMU or e-mail to or log into our web www.jobs.cdckemri.org

Only short listed candidates will be contacted