The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is inviting applications from qualified and motivated individuals to join its multidisciplinary team in advancing impactful health research in Kenya and the region. The Programme’s work spans clinical research, epidemiology, public health, genomics, social science, and health systems strengthening, with the aim of improving health and influencing policy.
The current vacancies provide opportunities for early-career and experienced researchers to contribute to high-quality scientific studies that inform health interventions, policies, and practices. Positions are available in yellow fever vaccine research, serological surveillance, genomics and bioinformatics, and empirical ethics in global health.
Position 1: Early Post-Doctoral Researcher – Yellow Fever
Vacancy Number: EPD-YF31-07-2025
Closing Date: August 24, 2025
This position is part of a three-year Wellcome-funded project aimed at determining the durability of the immune response generated by fractional and full standard doses of the yellow fever (YF) vaccine in children and adults in Kenya and Uganda. The research will contribute valuable evidence to inform vaccination policies, particularly in resource-limited settings where vaccine supply optimization is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate field and laboratory research activities related to yellow fever vaccine immune response assessment in study participants across multiple sites.
- Design and implement study protocols for longitudinal monitoring of immune responses in both children and adults.
- Collaborate with immunology, virology, and epidemiology teams to ensure accurate data collection and analysis.
- Supervise and mentor junior researchers, field workers, and laboratory technicians involved in the project.
- Conduct statistical and immunological data analysis to determine the durability of immunity post-vaccination.
- Prepare and present research findings to stakeholders, including scientific conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and collaborating institutions.
- Contribute to grant reporting, ethics submissions, and stakeholder engagement activities.
This role requires strong research skills, experience in vaccine immunology, and the ability to work collaboratively across countries and disciplines.
Position 2: Early Post-Doctoral Researcher – Serosurveillance
Vacancy Number: EPR-SEROS31-07-2025
Closing Date: August 24, 2025
The serosurveillance team at KWTRP conducts high-quality studies that complement traditional disease surveillance systems, generating evidence to inform immunization programme performance, identify immunity gaps, and improve understanding of population exposure to various pathogens. Past projects have included surveys for vaccine-preventable diseases (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, rubella, mumps, varicella), arboviruses (chikungunya, dengue, Rift Valley Fever), and respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead research on serological surveillance strategies, including the design and implementation of nationally-representative serosurveys.
- Coordinate laboratory testing of serological samples, primarily using Luminex multiplex assays, and oversee data interpretation.
- Explore and validate innovative approaches for using residual samples in sustainable serosurveillance systems.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of new serological assays within local laboratory settings.
- Engage with national and regional public health bodies to align serosurveillance research with policy and programme needs.
- Supervise research assistants and laboratory staff to ensure high-quality sample processing and data management.
- Prepare reports, manuscripts, and policy briefs to disseminate findings to scientific and policy audiences.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including epidemiologists, immunologists, and public health specialists, to integrate serological data into broader health surveillance systems.
The role offers an opportunity to influence national disease monitoring approaches and inform vaccination and outbreak response strategies.
Position 3: Assistant Research Officer – Genomics and Bioinformatics
Vacancy Number: ARO-GB31-07-2025
Closing Date: August 24, 2025
The genomics and bioinformatics research group at KWTRP works to elucidate the transmission pathways of endemic and emerging infectious pathogens through genomic sequencing and computational analyses. This position supports a broad range of research activities, including assay development, data analysis, sample management, and training.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in the design and execution of genomics and bioinformatics projects related to infectious disease transmission.
- Support laboratory-based assay development for pathogen detection and characterization.
- Perform bioinformatics analyses, including genome assembly, annotation, and phylogenetic investigations.
- Manage biological sample inventories, ensuring proper storage, tracking, and documentation.
- Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Train and mentor junior team members in laboratory procedures, data analysis, and use of bioinformatics tools.
- Collaborate with other research groups within KWTRP and external partners to integrate genomic data into epidemiological and public health studies.
- Participate in workshops and capacity-building initiatives to enhance bioinformatics expertise in the region.
This role suits candidates with strong computational and laboratory skills, keen attention to detail, and an interest in pathogen genomics and epidemiology.
Position 4: Early Post-Doctoral Researcher – Empirical Ethics Studies on Priority Areas in Global Health
Vacancy Number: EPDR-SocialScience-07-2025
Closing Date: August 24, 2025
The Health Systems and Research Ethics department at KWTRP is seeking two early to mid-level post-doctoral social scientists to contribute to empirical ethics studies addressing priority areas in global health. These positions will focus on understanding and addressing ethical challenges arising in health research and healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income countries.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and conduct empirical ethics research projects in priority global health areas, drawing on qualitative and mixed-methods approaches.
- Develop and refine research tools, ensuring they are contextually appropriate and ethically robust.
- Engage with study communities, healthcare providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to collect and interpret data.
- Analyse findings to generate insights that inform ethical practice and policy in health research and service delivery.
- Produce high-quality academic publications and contribute to ethics guidelines, policy briefs, and training materials.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including biomedical researchers, clinicians, and public health practitioners.
- Contribute to teaching and capacity-building in research ethics, both within KWTRP and in partner institutions.
- Assist in preparing grant proposals, ethics submissions, and progress reports for funding agencies.
These roles are ideal for social scientists committed to advancing ethical standards in global health research and policy through rigorous empirical work.
Application Deadline for All Positions
August 24, 2025
Application Instructions
Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the KWTRP recruitment portal to access the full opportunity details for each position and submit applications before the stated deadline. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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