Job Vacancies at The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) - 3 Positions

Responsibilities

• Lead the analyses and interpretation of molecular plant breeding data from project being conducted by the Integrated Genotyping Service and Support (IGSS) platform
• Evaluate the quality of the phenotypic data and develop phenotypic values for subsequent molecular analyses
• Use molecular marker data to conduct diversity and structure analyses of the populations and use the results to further inform the analytical strategy
• Conduct analyses to identify marker/QTL and marker/gene associations in different types of populations
• Estimate the accuracy of genomic selection and produce genomic estimated breeding values that can be used in selection
• Provide breeders with interpretation of the results of analyses and suggest how to use the values to improve the efficiency of their plant breeding programs
• Lead and/or contribute to publication of the results of the analyses and research
• Contribute to building the capacity in African NARS focusing on strategies to modernize strong breeding programs.
• Lead and or prepare the IGSS internal and external technical reports
• Participate in resource mobilization activities and proposal development
• Support the IGSS platform delivering both analysed data ready for joint interpretation by IGSS staff and clients, and a service to support clients with analysis and interpretation. 

Requirements

• PhD in plant breeding, genetics, quantitative genetics, statistics, or related field
• At least 5-7 years post-doctoral experience
• Practical experience in private sector working with genomics in plant breeding. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to perform in a multicultural research environment and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Strong technical science writing skills as demonstrated by publications in at least four peer-reviewed journals and other publications
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Capacity building, both individual and institutional
• Interest in international agricultural research and development
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Skills with managing large data files and data bases.
• Advanced skills in data bases, Excel, R, and other statistical analyses packages are required 

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya

Position level: The position level is 5A.

Duration: This position is on a fixed term period of 2 years.

Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for: Education, Housing, Relocation, Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays.

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The Position:

The graduate fellow will conduct epidemiological analyses to identify socio-ecological factors that promote anthrax occurrence and persistence as well as zoonotic spill-overs. Outbreaks of the disease have been reported in multiple locations in Kenya and hence data that will be used in these analyses will include secondary records from existing databases and primary data from field surveys.  Field studies will be implemented in collaboration with the Washington State University-Kenya Program, Zoonosis Disease Unit, Ministry of Health and the Department of Veterinary Services. This work will contribute to ILRI’s/CRP’s mission of building capacity for improved management of zoonotic diseases by generating tools (such as risk maps for prioritizing areas for surveillance and control) and new knowledge on risk factors and practices.

Host Program: Animal and Human Health

Main ILRI Project Title:  Identifying anthrax hotspots and the associated ecological factors in Kenya

Graduate fellows project title: Using ecological niche models to predict the spatial distribution of anthrax hotspots in Kenya

ILRI CGIAR Research Program (CRP) linkage: Agriculture for Nutrition and Health

Key responsibilities:

• Review of literature to identify drivers for anthrax occurrence and persistence
• Analyze secondary data from veterinary and public health institutions and other on-line databases
• Participate in outbreak investigations to map anthrax outbreaks
• Conduct ecological niche modelling to identify risk factors for the disease, and use fitted models to generate risk maps
• Estimate the burden of anthrax based on niche maps produced
• Write publications and short communication briefs

Requirements:

• MSc in Epidemiology, MSc Public Health, or MSc Environmental Health
• Excellent writing skills
• An effective and energetic team player with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work independently, multi-task and meet tight deadlines.
• Skills on geographical information systems

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Responsibilities

The candidate will contribute to ongoing research projects which focus on identifying the conditions that enable and constrain East African dairy producers in adopting climate smart agriculture practices. The research team aims to develop specific baseline estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock and livestock related products such as manure, identify effects of livestock systems on water quality and water quantity and identify potential mitigation practices that also improve dairy/beef production in smallholder systems. The candidate is expected to work within an international dynamic team in ILRI’s Mazingira Centre. The position entails a significant component  of hands-on work including handling of and sampling from large and small ruminants The candidate will contribute to this by undertaking the following activities:

• Planning, participation and oversight of ruminant research trials
• To coordinate and assist in day to day running and maintenance of animal facilities
• To collect biological samples (eg. faeces, urine, and rumen liquor), carry out greenhouse gas flux measurements from ruminants in experimental trials, under the guidance of senior project staff
• To assist with data entry and processing (data organization, calculation of greenhouse gas fluxes from animal respiration chambers)
• To maintain relationships with different stakeholders including farmers and farmer groups, suppliers and ILRI ancillary staff, in order to facilitate the efficient prosecution of research trials
• Assisting Higher Degree (Research) students
• Other such duties as deemed consistent with the position by supervisor

Requirements

The ideal candidate should have:

• A diploma in agriculture related science from a recognized institution with a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a research/teaching facility or a commercial farm. A BSc degree in agriculture will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated understanding of ruminant nutrition
• Demonstrated experience and ability in animal handling and carry out basic farm routine operations
• Demonstrated ability to work constructively and collegially with technical and scientific staff and students with minimal supervision
• Good skills in written and spoken English

Terms of Appointment

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus. It is open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 1-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.