RESEARCH TECHNICIAN – CBPP
Vacancy Number: RT/BIOTEC/12/11
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, and Nigeria) as well as in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam) and East Asia (China).
ILRI seeks to recruit a Research Technician to develop better diagnostics and vaccines against
contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a fatal lung disease of cattle caused by a mycoplasma.
Job Purpose
To identify mycoplasma components targeted by the primary (IgM) antibody response (a proxy for early infection) and to develop a prototype slide agglutination assay based on these antigens for evaluation as a point-of-care diagnostic. The candidate will be responsible for purifying recombinant mycoplasma proteins and testing them in ELISA and latex agglutination assays for specificity and sensitivity.
Responsibilities
• Culture and quantify mycoplasma in vitro
• Synthesize and purify recombinant mycoplasma proteins
• Evaluate antibody responses from vaccinated and infected cattle against recombinant protein
• Develop a prototype slide agglutination assay
Requirements
• Master of Science degree in a biosciences field
• Have good practical skills in basic molecular biology and microbiology techniques.
• Experience with synthesis and secretion of recombinant proteins, as well as with enzyme assays
• Attention to detail and high degree of precision
• Good organization skills and ability to communicate results orally and in writing
• Proficient in use of Ms Office packages.
• Have basic knowledge of statistics and data analysis
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
Terms of Appointment:
This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus and is open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 2-year contract renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
Job Level and Salary:
This position is job Grade 2C with a starting gross salary of KES 105,833 per month. This is exclusive of other benefits provided within ILRI’s Nationally Recruited Staff Scheme.
Applications, addressed to the Human Resources Director, must include: 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 (and not related to the applicant)
should be emailed to: recruit-ilri-Ken@cgiar.org by 06 January, 2012.
The position, title and reference number “RT/BIOTEC/12/11” should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email applications. Only short listed candidates will be contacted
To find more about ILRI, visit our Website at http://www.ilri.org/
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer and is keen to further diversify its staff in terms of both gender and nationality.
Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.
Vacancy Number: RT/BIOTEC/12/11
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, and Nigeria) as well as in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam) and East Asia (China).
ILRI seeks to recruit a Research Technician to develop better diagnostics and vaccines against
contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a fatal lung disease of cattle caused by a mycoplasma.
Job Purpose
To identify mycoplasma components targeted by the primary (IgM) antibody response (a proxy for early infection) and to develop a prototype slide agglutination assay based on these antigens for evaluation as a point-of-care diagnostic. The candidate will be responsible for purifying recombinant mycoplasma proteins and testing them in ELISA and latex agglutination assays for specificity and sensitivity.
Responsibilities
• Culture and quantify mycoplasma in vitro
• Synthesize and purify recombinant mycoplasma proteins
• Evaluate antibody responses from vaccinated and infected cattle against recombinant protein
• Develop a prototype slide agglutination assay
Requirements
• Master of Science degree in a biosciences field
• Have good practical skills in basic molecular biology and microbiology techniques.
• Experience with synthesis and secretion of recombinant proteins, as well as with enzyme assays
• Attention to detail and high degree of precision
• Good organization skills and ability to communicate results orally and in writing
• Proficient in use of Ms Office packages.
• Have basic knowledge of statistics and data analysis
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
Terms of Appointment:
This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus and is open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 2-year contract renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
Job Level and Salary:
This position is job Grade 2C with a starting gross salary of KES 105,833 per month. This is exclusive of other benefits provided within ILRI’s Nationally Recruited Staff Scheme.
Applications, addressed to the Human Resources Director, must include: 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 (and not related to the applicant)
should be emailed to: recruit-ilri-Ken@cgiar.org by 06 January, 2012.
The position, title and reference number “RT/BIOTEC/12/11” should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email applications. Only short listed candidates will be contacted
To find more about ILRI, visit our Website at http://www.ilri.org/
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer and is keen to further diversify its staff in terms of both gender and nationality.
Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.