Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a State Corporation established through the Science and Technology (Amendment) Act of 1979, which has since been amended to Science, Technology and Innovation Act 2013. The 1979 Act established KEMRI as a National body responsible for carrying out health research in Kenya.

Responsibilities or duties

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 (e.g., education, skills)

Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Computational Biology, or a related biological science. Mandatory

Demonstrated experience in molecular laboratory techniques including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis, library preparation, and DNA/RNA quality assessment. Mandatory

Hands-on experience working with High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) platforms such as Illumina, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, PacBio, etc. Mandatory

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. Mandatory

Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments and shell scripting. Mandatory

Strong programming skills in Python for genomic data analysis, workflow automation, and statistical computing. Mandatory

Experience using bioinformatics tools such as BWA, Bowtie2, Minimap2, SAMtools, BCFtools, GATK, BEDTools, FastQC, MultiQC, Kraken2, SPAdes, IQ-TREE, Nextflow, Snakemake, or equivalent tools. Mandatory

Experience in statistical analysis and data visualization using Python (Matplotlib, Plotly, Seaborn), R (ggplot2), or equivalent analytical platforms. Mandatory

Excellent scientific writing, communication, and presentation skills. Skills & Competencies

Communication skills Skills & Competencies

Interpersonal skills Skills & Competencies

Team player Skills & Competencies

Experience needed

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

• 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.

• Molecular laboratory techniques including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis, library preparation, and DNA/RNA quality assessment.
• High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) platforms such as Illumina, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, PacBio, etc.
• 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.
• Programming skills in Python for genomic data analysis, workflow automation, and statistical computing.
• Bioinformatics tools such as BWA, Bowtie2, Minimap2, SAMtools, BCFtools, GATK, BEDTools, FastQC, MultiQC, Kraken2, SPAdes, IQ-TREE, Nextflow, Snakemake, or equivalent tools.
• Statistical analysis and data visualization using Python (Matplotlib, Plotly, Seaborn), R (ggplot2), or equivalent analytical platforms.
• 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.
• At least 2–3 years of research experience in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, or related disciplines.
• 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.