ILRI Vacancy: Bioinformatics Research Group Leader

ILRI seeks to recruit a senior computational biologist, to lead the bioinformatics team. This is an international appointment reporting to the Animal Biosciences Program Leader.  The position holder requires an outstanding record of internationally competitive research accomplishments in bioinformatics. The role will require management of a group of bioinformaticians and systems specialists, liaison with a broader group of scientists and management of collaborations with multi-disciplinary groups on challenges relating to capturing, managing, analyzing and interpreting large sets of biological data.

 The job scope covers research in many different aspects of crop and livestock biology. Current topics include next generation sequence analysis, genotyping, comparative and functional genomics, RNA sequence analysis and metagenomics in a range of livestock, crop, vector and pathogen species.

 The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. 

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 31 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. 

Responsibilities:

• Liaise with senior project and programme managers to coordinate and manage bioinformatics requirements and opportunities;
• Contribute to existing research projects and build independent research activities in bioinformatics related to agricultural research;
• Be responsible for ensuring that ILRI’s human and hardware capability to perform cutting-edge bioinformatics is maintained;
• Be an inspiring and effective leader of a diverse and enthusiastic group
• Develop and implement a vision of bioinformatics research and support at ILRI;
• Ensure integration of bioinformatics into the research and research planning process at ILRI;
• Proactively establish and build strong relations with a range of local, regional and international partner institutes based on mutual trust and support;
• Be responsible for the quality of scientific research and project management within the bioinformatics team.

Requirements

•  PhD in Bioinformatics or in Biological Sciences research driven by computational analyses.
• At least 5 years post PhD experience.

Essential skills

• Familiarity with bioinformatics, particularly the use and analysis of high throughput sequencing data generated by a range of platforms;
• Experience in a supervisory role;
• Familiarity with Linux & Unix platforms and computational pipelines;
• Experience with high performance clusters;
• Experience in scripting and programming;
• Experience in managing and using relational databases;
• Excellent track record in scientific publications and fund raising;
• Demonstrated excellence as a manager of a team of professionals in a research organization;
• Proven success in initiating and managing multi stakeholder and international research projects;
• Excellent written and spoken English;
• Experience of management of capacity building activities.

Post location: The position is based at ILRI’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

Position level: The position is Scientist/Research Level 3 dependent on qualifications and experience. Candidates with experience and qualifications below those indicated may be considered at Scientist/Research Level 2.Base salary starting from USD 75,000 per annum depending on skills and experience, with an attractive international benefits package (tax free*).

Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.

Terms of appointment: ILRI offers a competitive international and salary and benefits package which includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for: Relocation, Education, Housing, Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays.*Benefits and salary are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.

Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position and reference number:REF: BRGL/BIOTECH/01/14 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ on or before 7 March 2014

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Suitably qualified women and developing country citizens are particularly encouraged to apply.