The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) together with its research programmes continues to play a major role in advancing health research, disease surveillance, epidemiology, biosciences, and healthcare systems strengthening in Kenya and across Africa. The latest recruitment announcement features multiple contract-based opportunities in Kilifi, Nairobi, Suba/Mbita, and Kirinyaga for professionals interested in research, data management, project coordination, epidemiology, biosciences, health systems evaluation, and medical imaging.
These vacancies provide opportunities for individuals seeking to work within highly regarded research environments that contribute to public health policy, healthcare delivery improvement, disease prevention, and scientific innovation. The positions span various research disciplines and offer openings for both experienced researchers and early-career professionals.
The recruitment exercise includes positions for Assistant Research Officers, Research Officers, Research Assistants, Project Managers, and Medical Imaging Technologists.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the available vacancies, locations, number of positions, employment terms, and job descriptions.
- Assistant Research Officer (Biosciences) – Kilifi
Job Reference: VN00956
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 5
Location: Kilifi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
The Assistant Research Officer (Biosciences) position is designed for individuals interested in supporting bioscience-related research projects within laboratory and field research settings. The successful candidates will support ongoing scientific investigations and laboratory processes aimed at improving health research outcomes.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Supporting implementation of bioscience research activities
- Assisting in sample collection, handling, and laboratory processing
- Maintaining laboratory records and research documentation
- Supporting data collection and analysis activities
- Ensuring compliance with research protocols and laboratory standards
- Assisting in preparation of reports and research updates
- Participating in field and laboratory-based research activities
- Supporting inventory and laboratory equipment management
- Assistant Research Officer (Epidemiology) – Kilifi
Job Reference: VN00957
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 2
Location: Kilifi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
The Epidemiology unit is seeking candidates to support epidemiological studies and public health research initiatives. The role focuses on disease surveillance, health data analysis, and research coordination.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Supporting epidemiological data collection activities
- Assisting in disease surveillance and monitoring programmes
- Coordinating field research activities
- Managing research databases and documentation
- Assisting in statistical analysis and interpretation of findings
- Supporting preparation of technical reports and presentations
- Participating in public health research implementation
- Ensuring adherence to ethical and research guidelines
- Assistant Research Officer (School Engagement Programme) – Kilifi
Job Reference: VN00958
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Kilifi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
This role focuses on supporting school engagement and community-oriented research programmes. The successful candidate will contribute to educational outreach and stakeholder engagement activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinating school engagement programme activities
- Supporting communication between research teams and schools
- Organizing outreach and educational events
- Maintaining programme records and activity reports
- Supporting monitoring and evaluation activities
- Assisting in preparation of engagement materials
- Supporting stakeholder relationship management
- Participating in programme implementation activities
- Research Officer (Bioscience) – Kilifi or Nairobi
Job Reference: VN00959
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 2
Location: Kilifi or Nairobi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
The Research Officer (Bioscience) role involves leading and supporting bioscience research projects in laboratory and field settings. The position requires involvement in scientific investigations, research coordination, and reporting.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting bioscience research activities
- Coordinating laboratory-based investigations
- Supporting development and implementation of research protocols
- Supervising data collection and laboratory procedures
- Preparing technical reports and research findings
- Supporting publication and dissemination of research outputs
- Ensuring compliance with research standards and ethical guidelines
- Supporting collaboration with multidisciplinary research teams
- Research Officer (NEWRISK) – Kilifi
Job Reference: VN00960
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Kilifi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
The NEWRISK project seeks a Research Officer to support project implementation and health-related research activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Supporting implementation of NEWRISK project activities
- Conducting research and data analysis
- Coordinating field activities and stakeholder engagement
- Preparing research reports and documentation
- Supporting monitoring and evaluation processes
- Managing project records and research databases
- Participating in dissemination of project findings
- Ensuring compliance with project and research requirements
- Research Officer (HSU) – Nairobi
Job Reference: VN00961
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Nairobi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
The Health Systems Unit (HSU) seeks a Research Officer to support research related to healthcare systems, service delivery, and policy evaluation.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting health systems research activities
- Supporting healthcare policy and service delivery evaluations
- Coordinating data collection and stakeholder consultations
- Assisting in analysis of health systems data
- Preparing technical reports and policy briefs
- Supporting dissemination of research findings
- Participating in project coordination meetings
- Ensuring quality assurance in research implementation
- Research Officer – Health Systems Evaluation and Data Analytics – Nairobi
Job Reference: VN00962
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 2
Location: Nairobi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
This position focuses on health systems evaluation, analytics, and data-driven healthcare research initiatives.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting health systems evaluation studies
- Managing and analysing healthcare datasets
- Supporting development of data analytics frameworks
- Preparing analytical reports and visualizations
- Supporting monitoring and evaluation activities
- Coordinating research implementation activities
- Contributing to evidence-based healthcare decision-making
- Supporting dissemination of research outputs
- Research Officer (Evaluating Hospital Workloads & Case-Mix) – Nairobi
Job Reference: VN00963
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Nairobi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
The successful candidate will support healthcare workload evaluation and hospital case-mix analysis projects.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting hospital workload assessment studies
- Analysing healthcare utilization and case-mix data
- Supporting hospital-based research activities
- Preparing research reports and presentations
- Coordinating stakeholder engagement activities
- Supporting healthcare systems improvement initiatives
- Managing research datasets and documentation
- Participating in dissemination of findings
- Assistant Research Officer – Epidemiologist/Data Analyst – Nairobi
Job Reference: VN00964
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Nairobi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
The role combines epidemiological research and data analytics responsibilities within health research programmes.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Supporting epidemiological data analysis
- Managing and cleaning research datasets
- Assisting in statistical modelling and reporting
- Supporting field and research coordination activities
- Preparing analytical summaries and reports
- Supporting monitoring and evaluation functions
- Assisting in dissemination of findings
- Ensuring research data quality and integrity
- Research Officer – Data Management – Nairobi
Job Reference: VN00965
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Nairobi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
This role focuses on research data management and ensuring integrity of health research databases.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Managing research databases and data systems
- Supporting data quality assurance processes
- Coordinating data entry and validation activities
- Supporting data security and confidentiality measures
- Preparing data management reports
- Assisting in database development and maintenance
- Supporting data analysis and reporting
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams
- Research Officer – Data Management – Wellcome Research Programme – Nairobi
Job Reference: VN00966
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Nairobi
Application Deadline: 27 May 2026
The Wellcome Research Programme seeks a Data Management Research Officer to support data systems and research coordination activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Managing programme research data systems
- Supporting database administration and maintenance
- Ensuring data quality and integrity
- Supporting data analysis and reporting activities
- Coordinating data collection and validation
- Preparing technical reports and documentation
- Supporting research teams with data management needs
- Ensuring compliance with research data policies
- Research Assistant – Suba/Mbita
Job Reference: VN00967
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 2
Job Grade: KMR 07
Location: Suba/Mbita
Application Deadline: 1 June 2026
The Research Assistant position supports field and community-based research activities in Suba/Mbita.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Supporting field research activities
- Assisting in participant recruitment and follow-up
- Collecting and recording research data
- Supporting community engagement activities
- Maintaining research documentation and records
- Assisting in logistics coordination
- Supporting sample handling and transportation
- Ensuring compliance with study protocols
- Project Manager – Kirinyaga
Job Reference: VN00968
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: KMR 05
Location: Kirinyaga
Application Deadline: 1 June 2026
The Project Manager will oversee implementation and coordination of research and project activities within Kirinyaga.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinating project implementation activities
- Managing project schedules and deliverables
- Supervising project staff and operations
- Supporting budgeting and resource allocation
- Preparing project reports and updates
- Coordinating stakeholder engagement activities
- Ensuring compliance with project requirements
- Supporting monitoring and evaluation activities
- Research Assistant – Kirinyaga
Job Reference: VN00969
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: KMR 06
Location: Kirinyaga
Application Deadline: 1 June 2026
The role involves supporting research implementation and field coordination activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Assisting in research data collection
- Supporting fieldwork coordination
- Maintaining research records and documentation
- Assisting in participant follow-up activities
- Supporting community engagement initiatives
- Coordinating logistics for field activities
- Assisting in preparation of research reports
- Ensuring adherence to study protocols
- Medical Imaging Technologist – Kirinyaga
Job Reference: VN00970
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: KMR 08
Location: Kirinyaga
Application Deadline: 1 June 2026
The Medical Imaging Technologist will support imaging services and diagnostic research activities within the project.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting medical imaging procedures
- Supporting diagnostic imaging services
- Maintaining imaging equipment and records
- Assisting in patient preparation and coordination
- Ensuring compliance with imaging standards and protocols
- Supporting reporting and documentation activities
- Coordinating with clinical and research teams
- Supporting quality assurance activities
Why These Research Jobs Matter
Research institutions such as KEMRI and Wellcome Trust continue to contribute significantly to healthcare innovation, public health policy development, epidemiological surveillance, disease prevention, and healthcare systems strengthening in Kenya. These opportunities provide professionals with exposure to multidisciplinary research environments and collaborative scientific programmes.
The advertised positions also support various public health initiatives including biosciences, epidemiology, data analytics, health systems evaluation, school engagement, healthcare workload analysis, and community-based research projects.
Application Deadline Summary
- Positions VN00956 to VN00966 close on 27 May 2026 at 12:00 PM
- Positions VN00967 to VN00970 close on 1 June 2026 at 5:00 PM
Applicants are encouraged to review the respective job references carefully before submitting applications.
