ILRI Vacancy: Research associate – III (Closing date: 2 September 2025)

CGIAR System Organization; Montpellier; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Temps partiel

Résumé du poste

A leading international research organization is seeking a skilled professional to deploy SENAITE LIMS and manage software development tasks. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Python, CMS deployment, and lab workflows. This role is based in Nairobi and is a temporary contract lasting 4 months.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in software development or systems administration.
• Proven track record of LIMS implementation, preferably with SENAITE.
• Ability to work under high pressure and meet deadlines.

Responsabilités

• Deploy SENAITE LIMS to the labs in Mazingira Centre.
• Set up analysis workflows for lab processes.
• Provide training for lab staff.

Connaissances

Software development in Python

CMS deployment and/or development

Good communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Formation

BA/BSc in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems

Description du poste

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa.www.ilri.org

Key Responsibilities:

• Deploy SENAITE LIMS to the various labs in Mazingira Centre, ILRI (animal nutrition lab, soil and manure lab, GHG measurement lab, etc). This includes parameterizing the LIMS so that it is able to ingest measurement results directly from the instruments.
• Set up the various analysis workflows for the same (sample reception, worksheet creation, batch processing, partitions & aliquots, interfaces for instruments and import routines, quality control workflows and report generation and approval).
• Set up instrument metadata, calibration logs, QC triggers.
• Create custom calculation scripts as needed using Python.
• Tailor security policies, defining roles (analyst, verifier, publisher, lab clerk, admin).
• Deploy audit/tracing setup and logging for changes
• In so doing, interact proactively with the staff at Mazingira (Daniel Mulat and his team) to better understand the requirements of the lab users and staff.
• In doing so, interact with the DRMU team and with the ICT team in order to make sure the SENAITE LIMS solution seamlessly integrates with the larger research data ecosystem at ILRI and is readily extensible to other labs at ILRI, both in its Nairobi and Addis Ababa locations.
• As and when needed, liaise with the SENAITE LIMS development team, mostly Ramon Bartl from RidingBytes, GmbH , to better understand the architecture of the SENAITE LIMS software, to report bugs and to suggest fixes to be applied onto the abovementioned repositories.
• Provide training for lab clerks, analysts, managers, and technical staff.
• Avail technical documentation and knowledge transfer.

Requirements

• BA/BSc in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems.
• A minimum of 5years of experience in a software development or systems administration environment.
• Proven track record of software development in Python.
• Proven track record of CMS deployment and/or development (e.g. Plone, Drupal, Joomla, WordPress, etc)
• Lab domain familiarity: QC workflows, batch handling, instrumentation
• A track record of LIMS implementation, preferably with SENAITE, will be a definitive advantage.
• A previous professional experience with PLONE CMS will be a definitive advantage.
• A general knowledge of lab analysis workflows will be a definitive advantage.
• Strong customer service orientation with good communication and interpersonal skills that establishes a good working relationship with customers, with the attitude of wanting to assist people and pass-on knowledge and experience while grasping difficulties perceived by users.
• Excellent interpersonal skills enabling the consultant to interact efficiently with various teams.
• Good logical diagnostic skills and ability to exercise good judgement in the resolution of problems
• Ability to prioritize in dealing with several different issues at a time.
• Ability to work under high pressure, meet deadlines, monitor and follow-up on pending matters under minimum supervision.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English, both in writing and verbally.

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job levelHG 12and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is a 4-month temporary contract

How to apply:Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing 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 Head of People and Culture through our portal https://ilri.simplicant.com on or before 1 September 2025.The position title and reference numberREF:PC/ 1967/2025shouldbe clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.