Laboratory Technician (Chemical Ecology) Job Vacancy at icipe in Nairobi Kenya April 2015
Laboratory Technician (Chemical Ecology)
Ref No. NRS/110/042015
Ref No. NRS/110/042015
icipe – African Insect Science for Food and Health is a world-class research centre with a mission to alleviate poverty by ensuring food security, improving health, protecting the environment and building the capacity of researchers and communities across the developing world through the application of insect sciences.
Employing more than 450 national and international staff, icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with outposts in Ethiopia and on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya.
icipe has a proud reputation and history of delivering world-quality science that has made crucial contributions to African food and health policy, delivered development outcomes to rural communities and has been at the forefront of building Africa’s biological research capacity.
The Centre’s research activities span the African continent with partnerships linking research organisations not only across Africa but also the globe.
icipe wishes to urgently recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Laboratory Technician (Chemical Ecology) in the Environmental Health Division, EU Bee Health Project.
The position is tenable in Nairobi, Kenya with travel to participating African countries.
This is a two-year contract, with a possibility of extension after successfully completing a six-month probation period of the first contract.
A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.
Overall purpose of the job: To assist in conducting various chemo-ecological studies targeting honeybees and their pests.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Participate in sample collection, data analysis and management;
- Generate laboratory data and maintain a database of all the laboratory results;
- Assist in performing behavioural assays involving honeybees and their pests following standardised chemical ecology methods;
- Collect volatile emissions, secretions and contact chemicals of honeybees and their pests;
- Maintain behavioural instruments and laboratory;
- Perform GC-MS and GC-EAD analyses on samples as required;
- Train interns on attachment and students hosted by the project.
Knowledge and skills required for performing the job
The suitable candidate must possess the following:
- Ability to write and follow SOPs;
- Ability to set up, operate and use various olfactometers, wind tunnels, GC-MS, GC-EAD and volatile collection instrumentation;
- Ability to analyse and report results.
Requirements / Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in related field with at least 3 years of experience in the field of chemical ecology.
- Holders of higher diploma with at least 6 years of experience in related field will also be considered.
Other Desirable Attributes
- Ability to work and think independently.
- Ability to interact effectively with management and field staff in different African countries.
- Ability to communicate effectively and to reason independently.
- Ability to take independent initiative in terms of day-to-day task management.
- Self-motivated and highly responsible.
- Flexible and willing to work under pressure.
Reporting: This position reports to the Project Team Leader through the immediate supervisor/manager.
The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as possible.
How to Apply
All applications must arrive via email on or before 6th May 2015, or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier.
Please quote the job reference number NRS/110/042015 on the email subject line.
Interested applicants should submit:
(a) a confidential cover letter,
(b) detailed CV with names and addresses of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers), and
(c) a one-page statement on research interests, and remuneration package to:
technicianchemicalecology@icipe.org
icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer