The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has announced 14 new job vacancies across different departments and research programmes in Kenya. The opportunities are available in Kisumu, Isiolo, Kilifi, and Nairobi, offering professionals a chance to work in one of the leading medical and health research institutions in Africa.
The vacancies include positions in laboratory management, research, epidemiology, biosciences, data management, administration, and health systems evaluation. Most of the positions are contract-based and target professionals interested in public health, medical research, health systems strengthening, biosciences, and data analytics.
KEMRI continues to play a major role in advancing healthcare research in Kenya through collaborations with local and international partners. The institution supports scientific innovation and evidence-based solutions aimed at improving health outcomes across the country.
Below is a detailed overview of all the advertised KEMRI vacancies for May 2026.
- Senior Laboratory Analyst (Laboratory Manager) – Kisumu – VN00953
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Kisumu
Positions Available: 1
Job Grade: KMR 05
Application Deadline: May 19, 2026
The Senior Laboratory Analyst (Laboratory Manager) position is based in Kisumu and involves overseeing laboratory operations within the assigned research programme. The successful candidate will be expected to coordinate laboratory activities while ensuring compliance with quality standards and research protocols.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervising laboratory operations and personnel
- Coordinating laboratory testing and sample management activities
- Ensuring adherence to laboratory quality assurance standards
- Managing laboratory inventory, reagents, and equipment
- Supporting implementation of research protocols and studies
- Preparing laboratory reports and documentation
- Ensuring biosafety and biosecurity procedures are followed
- Supporting training and mentorship of laboratory staff
The role requires strong laboratory management experience and the ability to work within a research environment involving scientific studies and health-related projects.
- Laboratory Technologist – Isiolo County – VN00954
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Isiolo County
Positions Available: 1
Job Grade: KMR 08
Application Deadline: May 19, 2026
The Laboratory Technologist position will support laboratory-based research and diagnostic activities within Isiolo County. The successful applicant will participate in laboratory sample processing, testing, and quality control procedures.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Receiving and processing laboratory samples
- Conducting laboratory tests and analyses
- Maintaining laboratory records and documentation
- Ensuring proper handling and storage of samples
- Supporting quality assurance activities
- Maintaining laboratory equipment and cleanliness
- Following laboratory safety guidelines and procedures
- Assisting researchers during laboratory investigations
This role is suitable for professionals interested in laboratory sciences and medical research operations.
- Administrative Assistant – Kisumu – VN00955
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Kisumu
Positions Available: 1
Job Grade: KMR 08
Application Deadline: May 19, 2026
KEMRI is also seeking an Administrative Assistant to support office administration and operational coordination in Kisumu.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Providing administrative and clerical support
- Managing office correspondence and records
- Coordinating meetings and schedules
- Preparing reports and documentation
- Supporting procurement and logistics coordination
- Maintaining filing systems and databases
- Assisting with travel and workshop arrangements
- Handling general office operations
The role supports smooth day-to-day operations within the programme office.
- Assistant Research Officer (Biosciences) – Kilifi – VN00956
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Kilifi
Positions Available: 5
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
The Assistant Research Officer (Biosciences) role will support bioscience research projects and laboratory-based scientific studies in Kilifi.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Assisting in bioscience research activities
- Supporting laboratory experiments and testing
- Collecting and managing research data
- Preparing scientific documentation and reports
- Supporting field and laboratory coordination
- Maintaining research equipment and materials
- Participating in data analysis and interpretation
- Ensuring compliance with study protocols
The position offers an opportunity to work within active scientific and health research projects.
- Assistant Research Officer (Epidemiology) – Kilifi – VN00957
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Kilifi
Positions Available: 2
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
The Assistant Research Officer (Epidemiology) role focuses on supporting epidemiological studies and health-related data collection activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Supporting epidemiological research projects
- Assisting in data collection and field activities
- Managing and analyzing health data
- Supporting report preparation and documentation
- Participating in surveillance and monitoring activities
- Coordinating research logistics
- Supporting study implementation and evaluations
- Maintaining research databases
This role is ideal for professionals interested in disease surveillance and public health research.
- Assistant Research Officer (School Engagement Programme) – Kilifi – VN00958
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Kilifi
Positions Available: 1
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
The School Engagement Programme role focuses on supporting education and community engagement activities linked to research programmes.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinating school engagement activities
- Supporting community outreach initiatives
- Assisting in programme implementation
- Organizing educational sessions and workshops
- Preparing programme reports and updates
- Managing stakeholder communication
- Supporting monitoring and evaluation activities
- Assisting with logistics and scheduling
The role supports collaboration between research teams, schools, and communities.
- Research Officer (Bioscience) – Kilifi or Nairobi – VN00959
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Kilifi or Nairobi
Positions Available: 2
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
KEMRI is recruiting Research Officers in Bioscience to support scientific investigations and advanced research activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting bioscience research studies
- Coordinating laboratory and field research activities
- Supporting scientific data analysis
- Preparing technical and scientific reports
- Supervising research assistants and junior staff
- Supporting proposal development and publications
- Ensuring compliance with research standards
- Managing research documentation
This position involves collaboration with multidisciplinary research teams.
- Research Officer (NEWRISK) – Kilifi – VN00960
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Kilifi
Positions Available: 1
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
The Research Officer (NEWRISK) role supports specialized research studies under the NEWRISK programme.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinating research implementation activities
- Supporting scientific investigations and data collection
- Managing study documentation and reports
- Supporting stakeholder engagement activities
- Participating in data analysis and interpretation
- Ensuring adherence to project timelines
- Supporting monitoring and evaluation
- Assisting with dissemination of research findings
The role contributes to ongoing health and risk assessment studies.
- Research Officer (HSU) – Nairobi – VN00961
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Nairobi
Positions Available: 1
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
The Research Officer (HSU) position is based in Nairobi and supports health systems research activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting health systems research
- Supporting programme implementation and coordination
- Managing research data and analysis
- Preparing technical reports and presentations
- Participating in stakeholder engagement
- Supporting policy and research evaluations
- Coordinating field activities
- Supporting publication and dissemination activities
This role contributes to evidence generation for health systems improvement.
- Research Officer – Health Systems Evaluation and Data Analytics – Nairobi – VN00962
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Nairobi
Positions Available: 1
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
This role focuses on health systems evaluation and data analytics within research programmes.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting health systems evaluations
- Managing and analyzing datasets
- Supporting data visualization and reporting
- Preparing analytical reports and dashboards
- Supporting evidence-based decision-making
- Coordinating monitoring and evaluation activities
- Participating in research dissemination
- Supporting project implementation activities
The role combines research and advanced analytical responsibilities.
- Research Officer (Evaluating Hospital Workloads & Case-Mix) – Nairobi – VN00963
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Nairobi
Positions Available: 1
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
The Research Officer position focuses on evaluating hospital workloads and case-mix within healthcare systems.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting hospital workload assessments
- Supporting healthcare systems research
- Managing and analyzing health data
- Preparing evaluation reports and recommendations
- Supporting field coordination activities
- Participating in policy and systems analysis
- Assisting with stakeholder engagement
- Supporting dissemination of research findings
This position contributes to improving healthcare service delivery and operational efficiency.
- Assistant Research Officer – Epidemiologist/Data Analyst – Nairobi – VN00964
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Nairobi
Positions Available: 1
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
The Assistant Research Officer – Epidemiologist/Data Analyst role combines epidemiological research and data analysis responsibilities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Supporting epidemiological data collection and analysis
- Managing research datasets and databases
- Preparing statistical reports and summaries
- Supporting surveillance and monitoring activities
- Assisting in interpretation of research findings
- Supporting research documentation
- Participating in study coordination activities
- Supporting health data management systems
The role is suitable for professionals interested in public health analytics and epidemiological research.
- Research Officer – Data Management – Nairobi – VN00965
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Nairobi
Positions Available: 1
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
The Research Officer – Data Management role supports research data systems and management operations.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Managing research databases and systems
- Supporting data quality assurance activities
- Conducting data cleaning and validation
- Preparing data reports and summaries
- Supporting data security and integrity
- Coordinating data collection activities
- Supporting research teams with data management needs
- Assisting with data analysis processes
The role plays a key part in ensuring accuracy and reliability of research information.
- Research Officer – Data Management – Wellcome Research Programme Nairobi – VN00966
Employment Type: Contract
Location: Nairobi
Positions Available: 1
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026
This position supports data management activities under the Wellcome Research Programme in Nairobi.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Managing programme research data
- Supporting database administration and maintenance
- Ensuring data quality and consistency
- Preparing reports and data summaries
- Supporting study monitoring activities
- Coordinating data collection and validation
- Supporting data analysis and interpretation
- Maintaining secure research data systems
The successful candidate will support research operations within the Wellcome Research Programme.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should visit the official KEMRI Careers Portal to view full job details and submit their applications before the stated deadlines.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early before the application closing dates.
