Research Associate II - Laboratory Technician at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Associate in provide technical support to facilitate sound experimental operations.

Responsibilities

• Analyse gas, soil and water samples from the field using elemental analyzer (C/N) and various chemical analytics (Nmin, P;
• Calculate nutrient concentrations in the soil/plant/water/manure samples;
• Collate data in Excel or similar programs;
• Maintain state-of-the-art measuring equipment;
• Contribute to run of a soil laboratory within the ILRI’s Mazingira Centre – including setup of new instruments and ensure its continuous functionality.
• Ordering of spare parts and consumables
• Book keeping of samples analysis and consumables

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of two years relevant experience
• Detailed understanding of soil/plant/manure sample analytics for C and N, including Elemental Analysers (Elementar VarioMac Cube)
• Profound experience in running other analytics on soil properties (texture, phosphorous etc.)
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of maintaining and running elemental analyzers (C/N).
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of sample handling in the laboratory (plants, soils, manure) – sample registration, sample preparation, sample analysis, data checks and providing customers with results
• Knowledge on how to setup new instruments for chemical analysis.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience on instrument maintenance (ie elemental analyzers)ce with plant analysis (lignin etc.) – ie wet chemistry

Terms of Appointment

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position; based at Nairobi, Kenya and open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Job Level

This position is job level HG11 and ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes; pension, medical and other insurances for ILRI’s Nationally Recruited Staff.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV explaining their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development by clicking on the "Apply Now" tab above before 22 October 2019. The position title and reference number REF: RA/SLS/2019 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.