Senior Clinical Research Scientist (Pharmacist) at Kenya Medical Research - KEMRI

 Vacancy No CGHR/244/12/21

Program description: This program is collaboration between the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It involves conducting research and program support for activities related to malaria, HIV, Tuberculosis and other diseases. Due to its continued growth, the HIV Research Division has the following vacancy in the pharmacy unit.

Essential requirements:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy
2. Master’s Degree in Pharmacy related field or Master’s Degree in Public Health.
3. Licensed by the Pharmacy and poisons Board of Kenya.
4. At least two years Clinical Research experience.

Desired requirements:

1. Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Human Subject Protection (HSP) in research.
2. Good judgment in problem solving, awareness of own limitations and strong internal motivation.
3. Position description: The Pharmacist will report to the division lead and will be responsible for investigational products management and accountability for the clinical research site. S/he will be required to make contribution to protocol development and implementation, including providing technical advice on pharmacy related issues.

Duties and responsibilities:

1. Coordinate all issues related to investigational products importations, supply and preparation of all doses for administration/use to/by the study participants.
2. Maintaining appropriate records of the receipt and disposition of investigational products and Inventory of all medicines.
3. Maintain a system to monitor and document storage conditions for investigational products to ensure quality of the products is not compromised.
4. Manage study participant randomization process where applicable and ensure compliance to assigned treatment groups.
5. Maintains the blinding of the participant’s treatment assignment to investigators, study nurses, clinic staff and participant, where required.
6. Maintains the confidentiality of the participant, participant’s pharmacy file and the study drug/placebo accountability record.
7. Establishes a system to ensure that the participants sign an informed consent before dispensing the drugs and the current IRB approved version of the protocol is being followed when dispensing the investigational products.
8. Prepares pharmacy related standard operating procedures ensuring they meet GCP, NIH and other regulatory requirements.
9. Follows established departmental policies, procedures and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives and safety, environmental and/or infection control standards. Ensure compliance to established local and international pharmacy research standards and delivering acceptable monitoring reviews.
10. Lead and/or support in the conduct of clinical, pharmaceutical or epidemiological research.
11. Perform any other duty as assigned by the division lead.

Terms of Employment: A one year Renewable contract as per KEMRI scheme of service. Probation period for the first three months.

Remuneration: The salary scheme is based on KEMRI scales.

Applications must include the following:

1. Letter of Application (INDICATE VACANCY NUMBER)
2. Current Curriculum Vitae with contact telephone number and e–mail address
3. Three referees with contact telephone numbers and e–mail addresses
4. Copies of Certificates and Transcripts