KEMRI/CDC Job Vacancy: Lab Equipment Maintenance Technologist I

KEMRI/CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration 

Opening date:26th/08/09

Vacancy No.K105/08/09

Program description: The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recently established an epidemiology research program and laboratories focusing on emerging infections.

The International Emerging Infections Program (IEIP) perform a wide range of laboratory diagnostic test for pathogens that cause diarrhea, pneumonia, fever, jaundice, and other diverse disease outbreaks.

Position: Lab Equipment Maintenance Technologist I 
(MR 9) Job group M
Reports to: Laboratory Director, IEIP.

Location: Nairobi.

Essential Qualifications:

• Education: BSc. Biomedical engineering Degree or Bsc. in laboratory sciences from an accredited institution with specific training on Medical equipment maintenance
• Experience: Minimum 3 years experience as a technologist, with time spent in a busy research or clinical lab managing and maintaining medical equipment.

Desirable Qualities

• Must be fluent in English both written and oral, with skills in report writing and presentation.
• Knowledge: Knowledge required in all aspects of equipment management and maintenance, including routine maintenance and replacement of part with short lifespan.
• Skills and Abilities: Excellent laboratory skills including ability to grasp new technologies and equipment.

Brief Job duties:

• Perform maintenance of cellular and molecular equipment in GDD labs in Nairobi and Kisumu.
• Perform equipment maintenance at the Kibera and Lwak clinic laboratories
• Perform minor repairs on broke down equipment
• Ensure existence of service contract for major pieces of equipment such as real-time PCR machines, DNA sequencer, Biosafety cabinets, etc.
• Participate in the annual decontamination and certification of Biosafety level-3 laboratory by external expert in order to learn how to perform this activity.
• Learn and perform annual inspection and certification of GDD biosafety cabinets.
• Ensure that equipment maintenance SOPs are updated regularly.

Terms of Employment: a six (6) one year renewable contract as per KEMRI scheme of service. Probation period for the first 3 months.

Remuneration: Compensation is negotiable within a relevant grade, based on educational levels, relevant experience and demonstrated competency. The salary scheme is based on the KEMRI scales plus supplemental amounts.

Applications should include the following:

• Letter of Application (INDICATE VACANCY NUMBER)
• Current Curriculum Vitae with telephone number and e-mail address
• Three letters of reference with contact telephone numbers and e-mail addresses
• Copies of Certificates, Diplomas or Transcripts
• Contact telephone number

Applications are due no later than: 8TH September 09

To:

Human Resource Manager,
KEMRI/CDC Program,
P.O. Box 1578,
Kisumu.

Or e-mail to recruitment @ ke.cdc.gov

Only short listed candidates will be contacted