Summary: Laboratory Technician - Yam and Bambara groundnut, Nairobi, Kenya

Job Details

  • Company: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
  • Location: Kenya

Job Description

Laboratory Technician - Yam and Bambara groundnut, Nairobi, Kenya

Organization

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Country

Kenya

City

Nairobi

Office

ILRI Nairobi

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to

recruit a Laboratory Technician - Yam and Bambara groundnut on

behalf of The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

(IITA) to support plant biotechnology and crop improvement research

through the preparation, establishment, maintenance, and

regeneration of in vitro cultures of yam and Bambara groundnut. The

role is responsible for conducting plant tissue culture activities

including media preparation, explant sterilization, culture

initiation and multiplication, and supporting transformation

regeneration, greenhouse acclimatization, and maintenance of

regenerated plants in accordance with established laboratory

protocols and quality standards.

ILRI is an international organisation working for better lives

and better planet through livestock. ILRI's mission emphasises the

interconnections between people, animals, and the environment

aiming to improve the lives of more than 300 million people in low

and middle-income countries through livestock science that supports

equitable and resilient livestock systems, ultimately contributing

to food systems transformation with climate and environmental

benefits. This mission is delivered through two core strategic

objectives: co-designing and deploying sustainable, science-based

livestock solutions, and leveraging science to inform and influence

policy and investment decisions.

ILRI is a member of the CGIAR, a global research alliance that

works to transform food, land and water systems in a climate crisis

and is the only CGIAR centre dedicated to addressing multiple

development challenges through sustainable livestock solutions.

IITA is a non-profit institution that generates agricultural

innovations to meet Africa's most pressing challenges of hunger

malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working

with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, IITA improves

livelihoods, enhances food and nutrition security, increases

employment, and preserves natural resource integrity. For more

information, please visit https://www.iita.org/about/

Key Responsibilities

  • Prepare plant tissue culture media required for Yam and Bambara

groundnut transformation and regeneration experiments.

  • Perform seed sterilization, explant preparation, and culture

initiation following established protocols.

  • Maintain, multiply, and regularly subculture in vitro Yam and

Bambara groundnut cultures.

  • Support regeneration, transformation, potting, and maintenance

of regenerated plants in the greenhouse.

Requirements

The ideal candidate should hold

  • Diploma in the Agriculture with 2 years of relevant work

experience

  • Basic knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel) or other

software

  • Experience in Bambara ground nut tissue culture
  • Understanding of health and safety in the workplace and good

working practices

  • Good oral and written communication skills

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level

HG9

and it is

only open to Kenyan nationals.

The position is a 10 Month fixed term contract. ILRI offers a

competitive salary and benefits package which includes pension

medical and other insurances.

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 recruitment portal by

clicking on "" on or before 30 September 2026

.

The

position title and reference number

REF

IITA/09/2026

should be 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.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at

http://www.ilri.org/

ILRI is an equal-opportunity

employer.

Tags

agricultural innovations

agricultural research

agricultural sciences

biological research

biotechnology

Skills

Plant Tissue Culture

Media Preparation

MSOffice

Communication skills

Health And Safety

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