ICIPE Jobs. Junior Scientist

Junior Scientist – Behavioural and Chemical Ecologist Jobs at ICIPE, Kenya
Ref No. IRS/118/062015

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 500 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, under the EU funded Integrated Biological Control Applied Research Programme (IBCARP-2014), is seeking to employ a Junior Scientist – Behavioural and Chemical Ecologist as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop innovative vector control technologies to reduce the impact of camel trypanosomiasis (surra).

The position is tenable at the icipe Duduville Campus in Nairobi, Kenya.

The position is for an initial fixed-term contract of 2 years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. icipe’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and assistance with relocation shipment.

Junior Scientist Job Overall purpose 

• To undertake research to develop innovative vector control technologies for control of biting flies involved in transmission of camel trypanosomiasis (surra), for improved camel productivity and camel health management practices in arid and semi-arid regions.

Responsibilities

• Identify the chemical cues leading to resource location by vectors of surra.
• Exploit the identified chemical cues to develop lures and repellents for the biting flies involved in transmission of surra.
• Develop/optimise repellents for on-host use from synthetic sources, unpreferred hosts (animals and plants), natural sources and their templates (including synthetic mimics).
• Conduct pilot testing of the identified olfactory lures and repellents in conjunction with visual baits, and in collaboration with other team members for control of vectors of surra, document results and constraints and provide detailed feedback towards development of efficient and appropriate integrated monitoring and control strategies.
• In close consultation with the PI prepare high quality field reports and revise work plans as appropriate to meet changing challenges, needs and requirements in the field.
• Maintain an active research portfolio, including publishing in peer reviewed international journals.
• Develop and maintain effective collaborations with internal and external research partners.
• Undertake capacity building at all levels.
• Must have ability to generate additional funds for relevant research.

Requirements / Qualifications for Junior Scientist Jobs in Kenya

• PhD in chemical ecology of arthropods/vectors of diseases with strong background in entomology and/or organic chemistry.
• Have not more than two years of relevant experience at the time the application is made.

Other Desirable Attributes:

• Work experience in Africa;
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team, and collaborate with different R&D actors;
• Ability to mentor technical staff and students.

Reporting: This position reports to the Principal Investigator, Vector Borne Animal Diseases Department, Human & Animal Health Division and Head of Behaviour and Chemical Ecology Department.

The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as possible.

How to Apply
All applications must arrive via email on or before 20th July 2015; however, applications will be accepted till the right candidate is found.

Please quote the job reference number IRS/118/062015 on the email subject line.

Interested applicants should submit:

• a confidential cover letter,
• detailed CV with names and addresses of 3 referees (with day time telephone contacts, e-mail addresses and fax numbers) along with complete publication list, and
• a one-page write-up on your research experience, interest and career goals to juniorscientistbce@icipe.org

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, icipe recognises the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.

Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

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