Research Associate - IITA

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit two Research Associates on behalf of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to support the molecular characterization of gene-edited plants, including banana and yam.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

ILRI hosts the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nairobi. IITA (www.iita.org) with its headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, works with partners throughout Africa and beyond to reduce producer and consumer risks, enhance crop quality and productivity, and generate wealth from agriculture.

Key Responsibilities

The position focuses on performing banana tissue culture, transformation and molecular characterization by PCR, Southern blotting, and maintaining bacterial cultures. The successful candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and contribute to ongoing research in plant genome editing and trait enhancement.

• Prepare all the required plant culture media for banana transformation and tissue culture.
• Assist in maintaining and multiplication of banana cultivars.
• Maintain embryogenic cell suspension of banana
• Assist in developing multiples buds and cell suspension of banana cultivars
• Assist in Agrobacterium-mediated transformations for banana and other crops.
• Assist in conducting molecular characterization through techniques like PCR and Southern analysis of genome-edited events.
• Provide assistance in potting and weaning of the transgenic plants in the glasshouse and regular watering.
• Assist in protoplast isolation and regeneration
• Assist in transgenic and genome-edited events in a screen house to evaluate for disease resistance
• Collect, analyze, and compile data for progress reports.
• Actively participate in monthly meetings, annual reviews, and planning sessions.
• Maintain meticulous records of consumables, glassware, and equipment within the plant tissue culture and transformation laboratory.
• Undertake any additional tasks or responsibilities as assigned by supervisors.
• Perform genomic DNA extraction from various transgenic and gene edited events of banana, or any other crops for molecular analysis.
• Conduct PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and qRT-PCR (quantitative Real-Time PCR) to assess gene expression.
• Maintain and propagate bacterial cultures for plasmid DNA preparations.
• Contribute to the maintenance of gene-edited plant lines in the lab and greenhouse.
• Ensure accurate data collection, analysis, and record-keeping for experimental results.
• Assist in preparing reports, presentations, and manuscripts related to the research findings.
• Perform any other duty assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor degree with a minimum of two years relevant experience or
• Diploma in relevant field with four years of relevant experience
• Knowledge in relevant field and relevant technical training
• Relevant professional certification
• Hands-on experience with banana tissue culture and cell suspension or any other crop tissue culture and molecular characterization.
• Ability to maintain detailed lab records and follow protocols with precision.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working in a collaborative research environment.

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

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG11 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is a 2 year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical and other insurances.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Head of  People and Culture through our recruitment portal by clicking on "Apply Now" on or before 30 September 2025. The position title and reference number REF: RA/IITA/2025 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org/

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