Research Officer II at icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

Overall Purpose of the Job

• To support research activities under the SYMBIOVECTOR project, particularly in the domains of vector surveillance, insecticide resistance monitoring, mosquito colony maintenance, and molecular diagnostics. The role combines field and laboratory tasks with a strong focus on implementation and training.

Specific duties

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Lead and coordinate field collections of Anopheles mosquitoes and manage insecticide resistance monitoring (e.g., WHO tube tests, CDC bottle assays).
• Oversee mosquito colony rearing, including maintenance of resistant strains and infection studies (e.g., membrane feeding).
• Conduct molecular laboratory analyses, including PCR, qPCR, and ELISA for vector species identification, resistance markers, and Plasmodium detection.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for laboratory and field activities; ensure compliance with biosafety and quality standards.
• Train and supervise junior staff, students, and technicians on entomological and molecular  methods.
• Manage laboratory inventory, prepare reagents, and maintain accurate records of protocols and results.
• Assist with data analysis, reporting, and manuscript preparation.
• Any other duties assigned.

Requirements/ qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Public Health or any other related field.
• At least 5 years’ experience in entomological research, including molecular lab work and semi-field trials.
• Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) certified.
• Familiar with data analysis tools (e.g., R, STATA) and inventory management.
• Additional training in vector taxonomy, medical entomology, and bioinformatics.
• Proficient in laboratory diagnostics, mosquito infection assays, and behavioral bioassays.
• Strong expertise in insecticide resistance testing and net durability evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to peer-reviewed publications.