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Assistant Research Officer – (9 Months Contract)
Reference Number: ARO070918
Employment Type: Full time
Category: Clinical Healthcare and Research
Job Grade: 6.01
Country: Kenya
Location: Kilifi
JOB PURPOSE:
To undertake sequencing and bioinformatics analysis for a project aimed at understanding the transmission pathways of respiratory viruses in Kenya. Viruses under investigation include rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, coronavirus, and human metapneumovirus.
Description:
REPORTS TO: Bioinformatics lead.
DIRECT REPORTS: None
INDIRECT REPORTS: None
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: None
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Implementing, optimizing and troubleshooting viral pathogen sequencing protocols
- Developing a multi-species whole genome sequencing method for rhinovirus to investigate sequences in large archive of respiratory samples
- Molecular diagnostic screening for a range of virus targets in archived and ongoing respiratory samples collections
- Assembling viral sequence contigs from the raw sequencing reads derived from next generation sequencers
- Performing phylogenetic analyses, producing reports and presenting arising results
- Contributing to scientific manuscripts and other dissemination activities
QUALIFICATIONS:
- BSc in Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Molecular Biology Bioinformatics, or similar (Upper second honors or higher)
- At least 1 year experience in virus molecular diagnostics
- Experience in virus whole genome sequencing using Sanger and NGS methods
- Previous experience in rhinovirus typing and sequencing
- Capability in bioinformatics and phylogenetic analysis of sequence data
DESIRABLE
- Undertaken a Post-Graduate Diploma in relevant subject area
- Knowledge and capability in programming for sequence data manipulations (e.g. R, python)
- A one-year research experience and evidence of scientific publication/contribution
SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:
- Understanding of virus sequencing including NGS and phylogenetics
- The ability to plan own workload and keep accurate scientific records.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to organize work to changing priorities is essential
RELATIONSHIPS:
- Working in collaboration with members of the Viral Epidemiology and Control (VEC) group (laboratory and research), and with relevant Programme scientists such as those linked to Kilifi Bioinformatics Core (KBiC).