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

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for better and more sustainable use of livestock. ILRI is a CGIAR research centre - part of a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

Responsibilities or duties

Provide logistical support for field activities, including sampling and processing

Support laboratory operations and the establishment of primary cell line cultures

Maintain and monitor stem cell cultures and biobanked cell lines to ensure quality and viability

Perform organoid differentiation in line with established protocols

Conduct biobanking activities, including cryopreservation and sample storage

Conduct molecular biology analyses and support cellular characterization processes

Maintain accurate data records and support data management and Digital Sequence Information (DSI) processes

Ensure compliance with project documentation requirements, laboratory biosafety standards, and quality assurance protocols

Support capacity building initiatives and collaborate effectively with WorldFish and NARS project partners

Support stakeholder engagement activities, including training sessions and outreach initiatives

Implement and promote adherence to biosafety and ethical research protocols

Contribution to manuscripts and publications drafting

Perform any other related duties as may be required

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Bachelor’s degree or diploma in molecular biology, biotechnology, animal science, cell biology, genetics, biomedical sciences, veterinary sciences, aquatic biology or related disciplines

Experience needed

Two years of relevant experience with a degree or four years of relevant experience with a diploma

Strong laboratory experience in molecular biology and biotechnology workflows

Experience in sterile tissue culture techniques

Knowledge of molecular biology methods (PCR, nucleic acid extraction, gel electrophoresis)

Experience handling biological samples and laboratory equipment

Ability to maintain detailed laboratory records

Good understanding of biosafety and laboratory quality systems

Experience with stem cell culture or organoid systems

Experience in cryopreservation and biobanking

Familiarity with livestock or aquatic genetic resources

Knowledge of genomics or sequencing workflows

Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS)

Familiarity with ABS, DSI, or biodiversity governance frameworks

• Provide logistical support for field activities, including sampling and processing
• Support laboratory operations and the establishment of primary cell line cultures
• Maintain and monitor stem cell cultures and biobanked cell lines to ensure quality and viability
• Perform organoid differentiation in line with established protocols
• Conduct biobanking activities, including cryopreservation and sample storage
• Conduct molecular biology analyses and support cellular characterization processes
• Maintain accurate data records and support data management and Digital Sequence Information (DSI) processes
• Ensure compliance with project documentation requirements, laboratory biosafety standards, and quality assurance protocols
• Support capacity building initiatives and collaborate effectively with WorldFish and NARS project partners
• Support stakeholder engagement activities, including training sessions and outreach initiatives
• Implement and promote adherence to biosafety and ethical research protocols
• Contribution to manuscripts and publications drafting
• Perform any other related duties as may be required

• Molecular biology workflows
• Biotechnology workflows
• Sterile tissue culture techniques
• PCR
• Nucleic acid extraction
• Gel electrophoresis
• Handling biological samples
• Laboratory equipment operation
• Maintaining detailed laboratory records
• Biosafety protocols
• Laboratory quality systems
• Stem cell culture
• Organoid systems
• Cryopreservation
• Biobanking
• Genomics
• Sequencing workflows
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• ABS (Access and Benefit Sharing)
• DSI (Digital Sequence Information)
• Biodiversity governance frameworks

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in molecular biology, biotechnology, animal science, cell biology, genetics, biomedical sciences, veterinary sciences, aquatic biology or related disciplines