Research Scientist - Turkana County (Kakuma/Kalobeyei) job at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
New
Today
Linkedid Twitter Share on facebook
Research Scientist - Turkana County (Kakuma/Kalobeyei)
2026-07-18T12:08:03+00:00
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
https://cdn.greatkenyanjobs.com/jsjobsdata/data/employer/comp_10387/logo/KEMRI.png
FULL_TIME
Turkana County
Turkana
00100
Kenya
Healthcare
Science & Engineering, Computer & IT, Healthcare
KES
MONTH
2026-07-29T17:00:00+00:00
8

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design, optimize, and implement molecular laboratory protocols for pathogen, vector, host, and environmental sample processing.
  • Coordinate laboratory workflows including nucleic acid extraction, PCR assays, sequencing library preparation, quality assurance, and sample tracking.
  • Perform comprehensive bioinformatics analyses of high-throughput sequencing datasets including quality control, genome assembly, alignment, variant detection, phylogenetic analysis, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and population genomics.
  • Develop, optimize, and maintain reproducible computational pipelines using Python, Linux shell scripting, and workflow management systems.
  • Integrate genomic, epidemiological, entomological, environmental, and climate datasets to investigate disease transmission dynamics and climate-health interactions.
  • Perform advanced statistical analyses and develop informative visualizations, dashboards, and scientific figures for reports, publications, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Manage research databases and ensure data quality, integrity, reproducibility, and compliance with institutional and national data governance policies.
  • Interpret genomic findings and translate complex scientific results into actionable recommendations for project partners, county governments, and humanitarian stakeholders.
  • Contribute to manuscript preparation, conference presentations, technical reports, and grant applications.
  • Provide mentorship and technical training in molecular laboratory methods, bioinformatics, and scientific programming to project staff and students.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful implementation of laboratory and computational research activities.
  • Maintain laboratory documentation, bioinformatics workflows, analytical reports, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Ensure compliance with biosafety, biosecurity, ethical guidelines, and the Kenya Data Protection Act (2019).
  • Perform any other research-related duties assigned by the Principal Investigator or Project Supervisor.

Qualifications or requirements 

Vacancy Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Computational Biology, or a related biological science.
  • Demonstrated experience in molecular laboratory techniques including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis, library preparation, and DNA/RNA quality assessment.
  • Hands-on experience working with High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) platforms such as Illumina, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, PacBio, etc.
  • Strong bioinformatics skills for processing and analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) datasets, including quality control, genome assembly, read mapping, variant calling, transcriptomics, metagenomics, or phylogenomic analyses.
  • Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments and shell scripting.
  • Strong programming skills in Python for genomic data analysis, workflow automation, and statistical computing.
  • Experience using bioinformatics tools such as BWA, Bowtie2, Minimap2, SAMtools, BCFtools, GATK, BEDTools, FastQC, MultiQC, Kraken2, SPAdes, IQ-TREE, Nextflow, Snakemake, or equivalent tools.
  • Experience in statistical analysis and data visualization using Python (Matplotlib, Plotly, Seaborn), R (ggplot2), or equivalent analytical platforms.
  • Excellent scientific writing, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Team player

Experience needed

  • At least 2–3 years of research experience in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, or related disciplines.
  • Design, optimize, and implement molecular laboratory protocols for pathogen, vector, host, and environmental sample processing.
  • Coordinate laboratory workflows including nucleic acid extraction, PCR assays, sequencing library preparation, quality assurance, and sample tracking.
  • Perform comprehensive bioinformatics analyses of high-throughput sequencing datasets including quality control, genome assembly, alignment, variant detection, phylogenetic analysis, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and population genomics.
  • Develop, optimize, and maintain reproducible computational pipelines using Python, Linux shell scripting, and workflow management systems.
  • Integrate genomic, epidemiological, entomological, environmental, and climate datasets to investigate disease transmission dynamics and climate-health interactions.
  • Perform advanced statistical analyses and develop informative visualizations, dashboards, and scientific figures for reports, publications, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Manage research databases and ensure data quality, integrity, reproducibility, and compliance with institutional and national data governance policies.
  • Interpret genomic findings and translate complex scientific results into actionable recommendations for project partners, county governments, and humanitarian stakeholders.
  • Contribute to manuscript preparation, conference presentations, technical reports, and grant applications.
  • Provide mentorship and technical training in molecular laboratory methods, bioinformatics, and scientific programming to project staff and students.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful implementation of laboratory and computational research activities.
  • Maintain laboratory documentation, bioinformatics workflows, analytical reports, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Ensure compliance with biosafety, biosecurity, ethical guidelines, and the Kenya Data Protection Act (2019).
  • Perform any other research-related duties assigned by the Principal Investigator or Project Supervisor.
  • Excellent scientific writing, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Team player
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Computational Biology, or a related biological science.
  • Demonstrated experience in molecular laboratory techniques including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis, library preparation, and DNA/RNA quality assessment.
  • Hands-on experience working with High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) platforms such as Illumina, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, PacBio, etc.
  • Strong bioinformatics skills for processing and analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) datasets, including quality control, genome assembly, read mapping, variant calling, transcriptomics, metagenomics, or phylogenomic analyses.
  • Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments and shell scripting.
  • Strong programming skills in Python for genomic data analysis, workflow automation, and statistical computing.
  • Experience using bioinformatics tools such as BWA, Bowtie2, Minimap2, SAMtools, BCFtools, GATK, BEDTools, FastQC, MultiQC, Kraken2, SPAdes, IQ-TREE, Nextflow, Snakemake, or equivalent tools.
  • Experience in statistical analysis and data visualization using Python (Matplotlib, Plotly, Seaborn), R (ggplot2), or equivalent analytical platforms.
bachelor degree
24
JOB-6a5b6ca320dc5

Vacancy title:
Research Scientist - Turkana County (Kakuma/Kalobeyei)

[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Healthcare, Category: Science & Engineering, Computer & IT, Healthcare]

Jobs at:
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)

Deadline of this Job:
Wednesday, July 29 2026

Duty Station:
Turkana County | Turkana

Summary
Date Posted: Saturday, July 18 2026, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

Similar Jobs in Kenya
Learn more about Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) jobs in Kenya

JOB DETAILS:

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design, optimize, and implement molecular laboratory protocols for pathogen, vector, host, and environmental sample processing.
  • Coordinate laboratory workflows including nucleic acid extraction, PCR assays, sequencing library preparation, quality assurance, and sample tracking.
  • Perform comprehensive bioinformatics analyses of high-throughput sequencing datasets including quality control, genome assembly, alignment, variant detection, phylogenetic analysis, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and population genomics.
  • Develop, optimize, and maintain reproducible computational pipelines using Python, Linux shell scripting, and workflow management systems.
  • Integrate genomic, epidemiological, entomological, environmental, and climate datasets to investigate disease transmission dynamics and climate-health interactions.
  • Perform advanced statistical analyses and develop informative visualizations, dashboards, and scientific figures for reports, publications, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Manage research databases and ensure data quality, integrity, reproducibility, and compliance with institutional and national data governance policies.
  • Interpret genomic findings and translate complex scientific results into actionable recommendations for project partners, county governments, and humanitarian stakeholders.
  • Contribute to manuscript preparation, conference presentations, technical reports, and grant applications.
  • Provide mentorship and technical training in molecular laboratory methods, bioinformatics, and scientific programming to project staff and students.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful implementation of laboratory and computational research activities.
  • Maintain laboratory documentation, bioinformatics workflows, analytical reports, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Ensure compliance with biosafety, biosecurity, ethical guidelines, and the Kenya Data Protection Act (2019).
  • Perform any other research-related duties assigned by the Principal Investigator or Project Supervisor.

Qualifications or requirements 

Vacancy Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Computational Biology, or a related biological science.
  • Demonstrated experience in molecular laboratory techniques including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis, library preparation, and DNA/RNA quality assessment.
  • Hands-on experience working with High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) platforms such as Illumina, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, PacBio, etc.
  • Strong bioinformatics skills for processing and analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) datasets, including quality control, genome assembly, read mapping, variant calling, transcriptomics, metagenomics, or phylogenomic analyses.
  • Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments and shell scripting.
  • Strong programming skills in Python for genomic data analysis, workflow automation, and statistical computing.
  • Experience using bioinformatics tools such as BWA, Bowtie2, Minimap2, SAMtools, BCFtools, GATK, BEDTools, FastQC, MultiQC, Kraken2, SPAdes, IQ-TREE, Nextflow, Snakemake, or equivalent tools.
  • Experience in statistical analysis and data visualization using Python (Matplotlib, Plotly, Seaborn), R (ggplot2), or equivalent analytical platforms.
  • Excellent scientific writing, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Team player

Experience needed

  • At least 2–3 years of research experience in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, or related disciplines.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Level of Education: bachelor degree

Job application procedure
Interested in applying for this job? Click here to submit your application now.

Click here to Apply

All Jobs | QUICK ALERT SUBSCRIPTION

Job Info
Job Category: Scientific jobs in Kenya
Job Type: Full-time
Deadline of this Job: Wednesday, July 29 2026
Duty Station: Turkana County | Turkana
Posted: 18-07-2026
No of Jobs: 1
Start Publishing: 18-07-2026
Stop Publishing (Put date of 2030): 10-10-2076
Apply Now
Notification Board

Join a Focused Community on job search to uncover both advertised and non-advertised jobs that you may not be aware of. A jobs WhatsApp Group Community can ensure that you know the opportunities happening around you and a jobs Facebook Group Community provides an opportunity to discuss with employers who need to fill urgent position. Click the links to join. You can view previously sent Email Alerts here incase you missed them and Subscribe so that you never miss out.

Caution: Never Pay Money in a Recruitment Process.

Some smart scams can trick you into paying for Psychometric Tests.