The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has announced several employment and internship opportunities for individuals interested in contributing to research, technical services, infrastructure support and institutional operations. The latest vacancies include opportunities for research interns as well as contract positions in building technology, mechanical engineering, air conditioning and refrigeration.
KEMRI is a national institution involved in health research in Kenya. Its activities cover different areas of medical and public health research, supported by scientific, administrative, engineering and technical functions. The institution periodically recruits professionals, technical personnel, researchers and interns to support its programmes and operational requirements.
The current recruitment exercise includes five positions. Two of the opportunities are internships based in Nairobi, while the remaining three are contract positions covering engineering technology and technical artisan functions.
The vacancies are Research Interns in Public Health/Social Sciences, Research Interns in Statistics, Engineering Technologist – Buildings, Engineering Technologist – Mechanical, and Senior Artisan – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
Applicants should take note that the positions have different application deadlines. The two research internship opportunities close on September 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM, while the three engineering and technical vacancies close on September 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
The available KEMRI vacancies are outlined below.
1. Research Interns – Public Health/Social Sciences, Nairobi
Reference Number: VN01006
Employment Type: Internship
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Nairobi
Application Deadline: September 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The Research Intern – Public Health/Social Sciences opportunity provides an internship opening within KEMRI for an individual interested in gaining practical exposure within a research environment.
The position is based in Nairobi and is listed as an internship rather than a regular contract appointment. One internship position is available under reference number VN01006.
Public health and social sciences play an important role in understanding health challenges beyond laboratory and clinical environments. Research in these areas can involve examining communities, populations, behaviours, social conditions, health programmes and other factors associated with health outcomes.
Within a medical research institution, research activities may require different forms of support throughout the research process. An internship provides an opportunity for an individual to gain exposure to how research-related work is organised and implemented in an institutional environment.
The position is specifically identified as a Public Health/Social Sciences research internship. Applicants should therefore carefully review the official vacancy information associated with reference number VN01006 before submitting an application.
The provided vacancy listing does not include detailed qualifications or a complete list of duties and responsibilities. Consequently, additional academic qualifications, experience requirements or responsibilities have not been introduced into this advert.
Position details:
- The opportunity is offered as an internship.
- The internship is based in Nairobi.
- One position is available.
- The vacancy reference is VN01006.
- The internship area is Public Health/Social Sciences.
- The application deadline is September 3, 2026.
- Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
- The vacancy is currently listed as active.
Interested applicants should use the official vacancy details to confirm all requirements and application instructions before completing their submissions.
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2. Research Interns – Statistics, Nairobi
Reference Number: VN01007
Employment Type: Internship
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Nairobi
Application Deadline: September 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
KEMRI is also recruiting a Research Intern in Statistics for an internship opportunity based in Nairobi. The vacancy is listed under reference number VN01007, with one internship position available.
Statistics is an important component of research because research programmes frequently generate information that must be organised, interpreted and used to support scientific findings. Statistical functions therefore form part of the broader research environment within institutions undertaking health and scientific studies.
The internship provides an opportunity within this research setting. It is specifically designated for the Statistics area and is separate from the Public Health/Social Sciences internship listed under VN01006.
The successful applicant will join KEMRI under an internship arrangement. Since the supplied vacancy information does not provide a complete description of the intern’s specific day-to-day responsibilities, this advert does not assign additional duties that have not been stated by the recruiting institution.
Similarly, no academic, professional or experience qualifications have been provided in the vacancy information supplied for this position. Applicants should therefore consult the complete official vacancy notice when determining whether they meet the institution’s requirements.
Position details:
- The position is a research internship.
- The internship area is Statistics.
- The position is based in Nairobi.
- One internship opportunity is available.
- The vacancy reference number is VN01007.
- Employment type is listed as Internship.
- The vacancy is currently active.
- The closing date is September 3, 2026.
- Applications close at 5:00 PM.
Applicants interested in statistics and research should ensure that they identify the correct reference number when reviewing and applying for the position.
Because KEMRI is advertising more than one research internship during the same recruitment period, candidates should distinguish between VN01006 for Public Health/Social Sciences and VN01007 for Statistics.
Applications should be completed before the stated deadline to avoid last-minute submission challenges.
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3. Engineering Technologist – Buildings
Reference Number: VN01008
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: KMR 08
Application Deadline: September 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
KEMRI is seeking to fill one Engineering Technologist – Buildings position on a contract basis. The vacancy is listed under reference number VN01008 and is classified under job grade KMR 08.
The position forms part of the technical and engineering vacancies included in the current recruitment exercise. Unlike the two research opportunities, which are internships, the Engineering Technologist – Buildings position is offered under a contract employment arrangement.
Building-related technical functions are important to institutions that operate offices, laboratories, research facilities and other physical infrastructure. Such facilities require technical oversight and support to remain suitable for institutional operations.
The Engineering Technologist – Buildings role is therefore positioned within the institution’s engineering and technical environment. The title indicates a focus on buildings and related engineering technology functions.
The information provided for this vacancy does not contain a detailed list of the specific duties and responsibilities assigned to the successful candidate. For accuracy, this advert does not introduce additional responsibilities that have not been included in the source vacancy information.
Applicants should consult the complete official job description associated with VN01008 for the detailed scope of work.
Position details:
- The designation is Engineering Technologist – Buildings.
- The vacancy reference number is VN01008.
- One position is available.
- Employment will be on a contract basis.
- The position is classified under KMR 08.
- The vacancy is currently active.
- The closing date is September 9, 2026.
- Applications close at 5:00 PM.
The supplied vacancy listing also does not state the qualifications, professional registrations, academic requirements or years of experience required for appointment. These have therefore not been added to this job advert.
Candidates interested in the position should review the complete KEMRI vacancy notice before applying. Particular attention should be given to the reference number, employment type, job grade and application deadline.
Applicants should also ensure that their application is submitted against VN01008 rather than the Mechanical Engineering Technologist vacancy, which carries a separate reference number.
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4. Engineering Technologist – Mechanical
Reference Number: VN01009
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: KMR 08
Application Deadline: September 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The fourth vacancy in the current recruitment exercise is Engineering Technologist – Mechanical. KEMRI is recruiting one individual for this contract position under vacancy reference number VN01009.
The position has been classified at KMR 08, the same job grade indicated for the Engineering Technologist – Buildings position. However, the two vacancies represent separate technical areas and have different vacancy reference numbers.
The Engineering Technologist – Mechanical role focuses on the mechanical engineering technology area within KEMRI’s wider institutional operations.
Research institutions depend on more than researchers and scientists to maintain their operations. Engineering and technical functions contribute to the physical and operational systems that allow institutional facilities to function effectively.
The mechanical engineering technology position is consequently part of the technical capacity required within the organisation. The successful candidate will be appointed on a contract basis.
Only one position has been advertised.
The vacancy information supplied does not provide the full responsibilities attached to VN01009. Applicants should therefore use the official vacancy description to establish the complete scope of the position.
No qualifications have been included in the supplied information either. Academic requirements, professional certifications, registrations and experience requirements have therefore deliberately not been added to this advert.
Position details:
- Job title: Engineering Technologist – Mechanical.
- Reference number: VN01009.
- Employment type: Contract.
- Number of vacancies: 1.
- Job grade: KMR 08.
- Vacancy status: Active.
- Application deadline: September 9, 2026.
- Closing time: 5:00 PM.
Applicants should ensure that they select VN01009 when applying specifically for the Mechanical Engineering Technologist position.
This distinction is particularly important because the institution is simultaneously advertising an Engineering Technologist – Buildings position under VN01008. Candidates should therefore confirm the job title and vacancy reference before completing the application process.
Applications submitted after the closing time may not be considered under the recruitment exercise, making it important for interested candidates to complete the process sufficiently early.
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5. Senior Artisan – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Reference Number: VN01010
Employment Type: Contract
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: KMR 09
Application Deadline: September 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
KEMRI is also recruiting a Senior Artisan – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration under reference number VN01010.
One position is available, and the successful applicant will be engaged on a contract basis. The position is classified under job grade KMR 09.
Air conditioning and refrigeration functions can form an important part of the technical infrastructure supporting institutional facilities. The advertised position specifically focuses on air conditioning and refrigeration at Senior Artisan level.
The position differs from the two Engineering Technologist vacancies both in designation and job grade. The Engineering Technologist positions are classified under KMR 08, while the Senior Artisan – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration vacancy is classified under KMR 09.
The Senior Artisan vacancy also carries its own reference number, VN01010, which applicants should use when identifying the position during the application process.
The complete technical responsibilities associated with the role were not included in the vacancy information supplied for preparation of this advert. Additional tasks relating to installation, repair, servicing, maintenance or other technical activities have therefore not been presented as official duties.
Candidates should refer to the complete KEMRI job description for the precise responsibilities assigned to the position.
Position details:
- The position is Senior Artisan – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
- The vacancy reference number is VN01010.
- One vacancy is available.
- Employment is offered on a contract basis.
- The position is classified at KMR 09.
- The vacancy is currently active.
- The application deadline is September 9, 2026.
- Applications close at 5:00 PM.
No qualifications were provided in the supplied vacancy listing. Consequently, this advert does not specify academic qualifications, technical certifications, professional membership requirements or years of experience.
Interested candidates should establish the official appointment requirements directly from the full vacancy notice before applying.
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Summary of KEMRI Vacancies
KEMRI’s current recruitment exercise provides five separate opportunities across research, engineering and technical functions.
The available positions are:
- Research Interns – Public Health/Social Sciences, Nairobi – VN01006 – 1 position – Internship – Deadline: September 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
- Research Interns – Statistics, Nairobi – VN01007 – 1 position – Internship – Deadline: September 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
- Engineering Technologist – Buildings – VN01008 – 1 position – Contract – KMR 08 – Deadline: September 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
- Engineering Technologist – Mechanical – VN01009 – 1 position – Contract – KMR 08 – Deadline: September 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
- Senior Artisan – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration – VN01010 – 1 position – Contract – KMR 09 – Deadline: September 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
In total, the recruitment notice covers five positions across the five listed job titles. Each vacancy has one available position.
Important Information for Applicants
Candidates considering the vacancies should carefully identify the position they intend to apply for and use the corresponding vacancy reference number.
The two internship vacancies have an earlier closing date than the engineering and artisan positions. Research Interns – Public Health/Social Sciences and Research Interns – Statistics close on September 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Engineering Technologist – Buildings, Engineering Technologist – Mechanical, and Senior Artisan – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration close on September 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Applicants should not assume that requirements are identical across positions simply because some vacancies have the same employment type or job grade. Each position represents a separate recruitment opportunity and may have its own appointment requirements and detailed responsibilities in the official job description.
Candidates should therefore review the full vacancy information for the specific reference number before submitting an application.
The vacancy references are particularly useful when distinguishing positions advertised during the same recruitment exercise:
- VN01006 – Research Interns; Public Health/Social Sciences – Nairobi
- VN01007 – Research Interns; Statistics – Nairobi
- VN01008 – Engineering Technologist – Buildings
- VN01009 – Engineering Technologist – Mechanical
- VN01010 – Senior Artisan – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Applicants should also ensure that applications are completed before the applicable deadline. Waiting until the closing time may create unnecessary difficulties where an online application requires several stages or supporting information.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should access the relevant KEMRI vacancy and review the complete official job description before starting the application process.
Applicants should confirm the job title, vacancy reference number, employment type, job grade where applicable, appointment requirements and any supporting documents required for the particular vacancy.
Since the supplied recruitment information indicates application functions rather than an email application method, candidates should follow the official online application procedure for their selected vacancy.
Research internship applicants should complete their applications by September 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Candidates applying for Engineering Technologist – Buildings, Engineering Technologist – Mechanical or Senior Artisan – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration should submit their applications by September 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Only information contained in the available vacancy listing has been presented as confirmed job information in this advert. Candidates should rely on the complete official vacancy notice for any qualifications, detailed responsibilities or additional application conditions that were not included in the supplied listing.
