Post-Doctoral Scientist Job, Kenya – Mathematical Modeling Of CBPP (Closing 6 February 2012)

Vacancy Number: PD/BIOTECH/CBPP/12/11
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 3-year contract

Total salary & benefit package circa USD 65000 (tax free*)

ILRI offers a competitive international remuneration and benefits package which includes: – pension – medical insurance – life insurance – and allowances for: children’s education; relocation and housing ; home leave travel – annual leave entitlement of 30 days per annum plus 11 paid public holidays

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works at the crossroads of livestock and poverty, bringing high-quality livestock science, communications and capacity building to bear on poverty reduction and sustainable development. ILRI is one of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ILRI has campuses in Kenya (headquarters) and Ethiopia, with other offices located in other regions of Africa (Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria) as well as in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, Vietnam) and East Asia (China).

ILRI seeks to recruit a Post-doctoral scientist  under the Combating Infectious Diseases of Livestock for International Development (CIDLID), CBPP project and work under the supervision of the veterinary epidemiologist in the Vaccines and Diagnostics Team of the Biotechnology Theme and in close collaboration with other researchers working on CBPP within the Team. This position will require significant initiative, problem solving skills and the ability to work independently.  The principal responsibility of the Post Doc will be to develop mathematical models of CBPP for the purposes of analyzing CBPP transmission dynamics and the performance of biotechnological interventions intended as tools to mitigate the impact of CBPP.  The Post doc will also contribute to data analysis of the results of CBPP experiments especially where the results may contribute to more reliable estimates of modelling parameters.

Responsibilities:

·         Participation in team discussions to design the CBPP research program, CBPP transmission models and CBPP experiments;

·         Conduct dialogue with decision-makers and other stakeholders on CBPP model design;

·         Expand existing CBPP models available within the research team to include additional parameters and the analysis of the impact diagnostic test performance on the efficacy of the targeting of CBPP control interventions;

·         Develop new CBPP models using appropriate techniques and software packages if/where there is a consensus among the CBPP team that additional models would add value to the research program;

·         Analyze results of CBPP research that can contribute to the modelling process;

·         Conduct dialogue with decision-makers on the implications of modelling outcomes and update analysis based on stakeholder feedback;

·         Prepare and present results;

·         Preparation and publication of scientific articles.

Requirements:

·         A Ph.D. in the Life Sciences;

·         A proven record reflecting experience in research design, quantitative and qualitative analytic methods and producing peer-reviewed outputs;

·         Experience in multi-disciplinary and multi-national team of researchers and development practitioners;

·         A track record that reflect strong problem solving skills and initiative;

·         Computer literacy including knowledge of word processing and data analysis software packages;

·         Strong English language skills, both written and spoken (proficiency in other languages is an advantage);

·         Willingness and ability to travel, sometimes to rural areas in developing countries.

Post location: The position is based at ILRI’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Duration: The position is on a fixed term appointment for 2 years.

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV explaining 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 Human Resources Director by registering at this link:  My Jobs in Kenya. Only applications that are received via this link will be considered and only short listed candidates will be contacted. The position title and reference number REF: PD/BIOTECH/CBPP/12/11 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the application. Screening of applications will commence on 6^th February until the position is filled, though selections may be made in advance of that date.

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates from African countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.