Assistant Research Officer - (9 Months Contract) at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

REPORTS TO:

• Bioinformatics lead.

DIRECT REPORTS:

• None

INDIRECT REPORTS:  

• None

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY:  

• None

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implementing, optimizing and troubleshooting viral pathogen sequencing protocols
• Developing a multi-species whole genome sequencing method for rhinovirus to investigate sequences in large archive of respiratory samples
• Molecular diagnostic screening for a range of virus targets in archived and ongoing respiratory samples collections
• Assembling viral sequence contigs from the raw sequencing reads derived from next generation sequencers
• Performing phylogenetic analyses, producing reports and presenting arising results
• Contributing to scientific manuscripts and other dissemination activities

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BSc in Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Molecular Biology Bioinformatics, or similar (Upper second honors or higher)
• At least 1 year experience in virus molecular diagnostics
• Experience in virus whole genome sequencing using Sanger and NGS methods
• Previous experience in rhinovirus typing and sequencing
• Capability in bioinformatics and phylogenetic analysis of sequence data

DESIRABLE

• Undertaken a Post-Graduate Diploma in relevant subject area
• Knowledge and capability in programming for sequence data manipulations (e.g. R, python)
• A one-year research experience and evidence of scientific publication/contribution

SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:

• Understanding of virus sequencing including NGS and phylogenetics
• The ability to plan own workload and keep accurate scientific records.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to organize work to changing priorities is essential

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Working in collaboration with members of the Viral Epidemiology and Control (VEC) group (laboratory and research), and with relevant Programme scientists such as those linked to Kilifi Bioinformatics Core (KBiC).