Career Opportunity

Mount Kenya University department of Animal Health and Production, School of Pure and Applied Sciences and University of West of Scotland (UWS) in collaboration with Farmtrack Consulting, a private company that is involved in development and commercialization of non-chemical and environmentally sustainable pest control products are undertaking a project to develop a novel female fruit fly protein bait that will contribute to better management of fruit fly.

Farmtrack consulting has been in operation since 2010 and offers consultancy services and trainings on pest management and phytosanitary compliance. The company is a leader in sale and distribution of non-conventional pest control products in Kenya.

It is in this line that MKU invites applications from suitably qualified, visionary, competent, dynamic and experienced professionals with impeccable track record to fill the following vacant position.

VACANT POSITION: KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIPS (KTP) RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

REPORTS TO:

The KTP Associate will work under the direction of the Farmtrack Consulting Company CEO with the support from the Knowledge Base Supervisors at Mount Kenya University (MKU) and the University of West of Scotland (UWS). The Associate will be based at Farmtrack Consulting and will have full access to and support from the Company Management and Production Staff. The Associate will also have full access to Mount Kenya University laboratories and will work under the supervision of Mount Kenya University Lead Academic.

LOCATION:

Njiru Mwiki-Kasarani Road, Nairobi County, Kenya

DIMENSIONS:

This project is a collaboration between Farmtrack Consulting Ltd and Mount Kenya University Department of Animal Health and Production, School of Pure and Applied Sciences and UWS. The objective of the project is to develop a novel female fruit fly protein bait that will contribute to better management of fruit fly.

The Associate will liaise with Senior Company Management and will be fully supported by a team of Academics at MKU and UWS. As Project Associate, He/She will gain experience, develop novel and unprecedented valuable skills, and deliver real business impact.

We wish to recruit a PhD graduate in entomology or analytical chemistry with strong background and knowledge in analytical instruments. Experience in insect biology and ecology as well as handling of insects is key. A candidate with a master’s degree in entomology or analytical chemistry with 2 years’ experience is also qualified to apply. The KTP Associate should also possess excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, and be able to work independently and as part of a high performance team. As the KTP Associate, He/She will have the opportunity to take a leading role in the project, conduct a variety of research activities and have various publishable outputs as well as opportunities for presentation at conferences.

Financial:   The research associate will earn a gross salary of up to Ksh 170,000 inclusive of taxes and statutory deductions and there will be personal development budget for the research associate of Ksh 360,000.00 for the contract period.

Period:         He/She will be on board the project for a period of 15 months.

Managerial:  There are no line management responsibilities associated with this role.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1. Take a leading, practical role in the strategic and routine operation of a 15-month KTP collaborative project to ‘develop novel female fruit fly protein bait’. Close interaction with project partners from both academia (MKU and UWS) and Farmtrack Consulting Ltd will be needed.
2. Take a leading, practical role in the analysis and formulation of the protein bait using locally available materials.
3. Work with Project Team to carry out field efficacy trials for the developed product.
4. Work with Project Team to develop protocols for analysis and formulation of the product as well as efficacy trials under field conditions.
5. Under the guidance of the Project Team, develop protocols for rearing of fruit fly in the laboratory for use in the project experiments.
6. Co-ordinate and manage data (including data quality, integrity and security) acquired by the project, staff and external partners.
7. Prepare reports covering aspects of the research project and present to relevant audiences as required and completion of KTP final report.
8. Contribute to the preparation of articles for publication to peer reviewed journals.
   
   PLANNING AND ORGANISING:

1. Work closely with both Staff and Management in Farmtrack and the Academic Research Team within the Group.
2. Work on own initiative prioritizing workload to ensure achievement of research activities and project deadlines.
3. Coordinate workload with members of the Project Team within Farmtrack and MKU to avoid duplication of workload and conflict.
4. Undertake and/or co-ordinate data collection, data analysis, writing up of findings and dissemination of findings at appropriate conferences and industry events.
5. Use research resources/facilities as appropriate.
   
   DECISION MAKING

1. Deal with problems which may affect the delivery of or the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
2. Contribute to decisions affecting the work of the Team.
3. Decide, with members of the Project Team within Farmtrack, MKU and UWS the most appropriate way to overcome difficulties that may arise in order to achieve the project outcomes.
4. Analyze and interpret the results of research, and contribute to the generation of original ideas based on outcomes.
   
   WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Work closely with and be supported by both the project leads in Farmtrack, MKU and UWS and any potential external partners.
2. Liaise with colleagues and support staff within Farmtrack and the School of Pure and Applied Sciences at MKU on research matters.
3. Actively participate as both practitioner within Farmtrack and research team members in MKU.
4. Attend and contribute to Project Team meetings and other relevant meetings.
5. Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues pertaining to the research process and consideration to others.
   
   PERSON SPECIFICATION
   EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING

Essential

1. PhD in either entomology or analytical chemistry

OR

2. MSc in entomology or analytical chemistry with 2 years’ experience in the 2 disciplines

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Practical experience working on handling entomology laboratory
• Experience in analytical chemistry instrumentation including GCMS and LCMS
• Ability to analyze and interpret data from GC-MS and LC-MS
•  interpret results from GC-MS and LC-MS
• Ability to properly document work and write reports and publish in peer reviewed journals
• Well skilled in use of MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word document
• Provide expert interpretation of data and compare results to established specifications or anticipated trends

Desirable Experience in rearing of insects .

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/UNDERSTANDING

Essential

Essential skills we require as a minimum:

• A good understanding of insect biology and analytical chemistry
• A good understanding of the issues relating to development of products
• A good understanding of formulation and packaging and dispensing of products
• Ability to undertake data analysis from complex datasets.
• Ability to conduct literature and database searches using appropriate search strategy/terms, co-ordinate and manage data (including data quality, integrity and security) acquired by the project
• Prepare reports covering aspects of the research project and present to relevant audiences as required and contribute to the preparation of articles for publication to peer reviewed journals
• Excellent written communication skills; technical documents and documentation suitable for non-technical users and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences
• Expert knowledge of laboratory apparatus and equipment and a variety of laboratory techniques
• Take a leading, practical role in the development and formulation of the product
• Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues pertaining to the research process and consideration to others

Desirable

• Work on own initiative prioritizing workload to ensure achievement of research activities and project deadlines
• Deal with problems and overcome difficulties which may affect the delivery of or the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
  
  PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a high-performance team
• Motivated and enthusiastic
• Hands-on approach to problem solving

How to Apply:

Interested Candidates are required to apply through the Mount Kenya Online Recruitment Portal. Click the following link to apply: https://tinyurl.com/yc59dj4z on or before 23rd March, 2022.

All applications MUST be through the MKU recruitment online portal and applicants who had previously made their applications are advised to re-apply.

NOTE
• Only those who meet the requirements will be considered.
• Mount Kenya University is an equal opportunity employer.
• Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
• Shortlisted candidates will be expected to attend an interview on 30th March,2022.
• Successful candidates will be expected to report on 6th April,2022.