Technology Manager
Vacancy Number: TM/BECA/06/2013
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 3 years contract with the possibility of renewal
Base
salary starting from USD 75,000 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.
ILRI
also manages the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub at
ILRI, the centre for excellence in modern plant and animal biology in
Africa. BecA is an initiative developed within the framework of the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)/ African Union African
Biosciences initiative.
It consists of a Hub based on the ILRI
campus in Nairobi, Kenya and a network of regional nodes and other
affiliated laboratories and organizations throughout the region.
The
BecA Hub facilities are world class, including a range of molecular,
plant transformation, and genomics laboratories and equipment (e.g. 454
sequencing, Biosafety level 3 laboratory, plant growth facilities).
The
Hub hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas
where new developments in science offer promise to address previously
intractable problems constraining Africa’s development. Capacity
building is a major goal of all activities.
The scope covers
agriculture and food security and their intersections with human health
and nutrition, and the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources.
Further information is available at http://hub.africabiosciences.org/
The Position:
ILRI seeks to recruit a
Technology Manager to provide support to the BecA Hub Director towards
the overall management of the BecA program; oversee the management of
the laboratory infrastructure, facilitate research, research-related
services and capacity building through strategic planning, acquisition,
technical coordination, application and monitoring of new technologies
within the BecA-ILRI Hub and outside; to lead and manage the genomics
and bioinformatics groups.
This is an international appointment reporting to the Director of the BecA-ILRI Hub.
Responsibilities:
- Provide support to the BecA Hub Director towards the overall management of the BecA program.
- Lead the laboratory
management team with a specific focus on maintaining very high quality
facilities, equipment, technologies and core competencies at the Hub.
- Develop strategies
and policies and form partnerships to acquire and implement the latest
technologies appropriate to the Hub and the region.
- Lead and manage the
research and technologies-related service units (the Sequencing,
Genotyping and Proteomics Unit and the Central Core Unit), and promote
the continuing professional development and training of staff in these
units.
- Lead and manage the
genomics and bioinformatics groups at the Hub to provide support to
various research themes within and outside the Hub. Establish and manage
other research-related services Units.
- Manage the Laboratory Management Information System (LIMS).
- Advise Hub management on required changes in biosciences research technologies.
- To initiate, lead and contribute to various research projects, and to contribute to resource mobilization by the Hub.
- In conjunction with
the Institutional Biosafety Committee and Occupational Health and Safety
Office, provide oversight of laboratory safety including BSL2 and BSL3
facilities.
- Provide technical support and training to African scientists and partners on appropriate technologies.
- Actively promote
BecA-ILRI Hub research programs, capacity building opportunities,
research-related services and training facilities within the region.
Requirements:
- PhD in modern
biological sciences (cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology,
biochemistry or genomic sciences) with broad experience and interest in
biosciences research.
- Work experience of at least 5 years in laboratory management, and extensive experience of biosafety in BSL 2 and 3 laboratories.
- In-depth knowledge
and experience of a wide range of bioscience technologies including new
and advanced applications of modern biology and equipment requirements.
- Experience in creating new scientific infrastructure to support biosciences research and establishing new research projects.
- Proven skills in mentoring, training and supervising scientists, postgraduate students and technicians.
- Record of scientific achievements, including publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- Extensive experience
of the technology transfer/ capacity building in developing countries to
implement and adapt novel technologies to facilitate research.
- Excellent
interpersonal skills with ability to maintain excellent working
relations with project leaders, scientists, technical staff and other
research partners.
- Sound understanding of potential ethics and governance issues in research.
Position level: Scientist Level 3.
Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal contingent upon individual performance and funding.
Terms of appointment:
ILRI offers a competitive
international and salary and benefits package which includes 15%
Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for:
Education, Housing, Relocation, 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 provide
a cover letter and curriculum vitae: a list of publications and names
and addresses (including telephone, fax and email) of three referees who
are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and
work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae.
The position title and
reference number: REF: TM/BECA/06/2013 should be clearly indicated in
the subject line of the cover letter.
