KENYATTA UNIVERSITY NATIONAL PHYTOTHERAPEUTICS RESEARCH CENTRE (NPRC)

Kenyatta University seeks to recruit competent and dedicated staff to fill up the following positions in the National Phytotherapeutics Research Centre:

1. ADMINISTRATOR - NATIONAL PHYTOTHERAPEUTICS RESEARCH CENTRE (GRADE E/F)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters of Plant and Soil Science from a registered and recognized University.
• BSc. Degree from a registered and recognized University.
• KSCE mean Grade C+ (plus) or equivalent and above.
• Have at least three (3) years relevant work experience in a busy Teaching, Research, Quality Assurance Laboratory or related fields.
• Those with experience in an international organization will have an added advantage.
• Those with Transformational Leadership and Entrepreneurial Skills will have an added advantage.
• Be computer literate.

While reporting to the Director, NPRC Successful candidate will be expected to:

• Be responsible for the daily administrative duties in NPRC.
• Develop, update and maintain all SOPs for NPRC, laboratories, equipment and processes.
• Develop MOU’s with local, regional and international parties interested in phytotherapeutics.
• Initiate development and revision of NPRC Strategic Plan.
• Be responsible for the sourcing of raw herbal materials.
• Coordinate marketing and sales of NPRC services and products.
• Coordinate procurement of chemicals, reagents and solvents for NPRC.
• Be responsible for NPRC stores.
• Be the liaison person for local and international post graduate students and researchers.
• Be the liaison person for herbalists, farmers of medicinal plants and traders of herbal materials.
• Be the liaison person between KU and regulatory bodies of alternative medicines.

2. SENIOR TECHNICIAN - QUALITY ASSURANCE SECTION

(GRADE E/F)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• MSc. Degree from a registered and recognized University in any of the following areas of specialization: Analytical Chemistry or Natural Products Chemistry.
• BSc. Degree from a recognized University
• KSCE mean Grade C+ (plus) or equivalent and above.
• Have at least three (3) years relevant work experience in a busy Teaching, Research or a Quality Assurance Laboratory.
• Experience in operating analytical equipment such as LC-MS/MS, GC/MS, FTIR, UV-VIS, HPTLC, XRF will be a desirable advantage.
• Be computer literate.

While reporting to the Director, NPRC Successful candidate will be expected to:

• Oversee the day to day running of the QA laboratories.
• Prepare and review standard operating procedures.
• Ensure proper handling of all samples prior to instrumental analysis.
• Carry out chemical analysis using analytical instruments such as LC-MS/MS, GC/MS, FTIR, UV-VIS, HPTLC, XRF.
• Oversee good laboratory practices in the general laboratory.
• Develop analytical methods for application in natural products analysis.
• Perform data analysis and interpretation of analytical results and ensure correctness of the results.
• Ensure both periodic and routine inspection of laboratory instruments and documentation of certificates from external calibrations.
• Ensure proper documentation of Certificate of analysis and Safety data sheet for chemicals, reagents and products.
• Assist local and international post graduate students and researchers in conducting research.

3. TECHNICIAN - QUALITY ASSURANCE SECTION (GRADE C/D)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BSc. Degree from a registered and recognized University in any of the following areas of specialization: Analytical Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry.
• KSCE mean Grade C+ (plus) or equivalent and above.
• Have at least three (3) years relevant work experience in a busy Teaching, Research or a Quality Assurance Laboratory.Experience in operating analytical equipment such as LC-MS/MS, GC/MS, FTIR, UV-VIS, HPTLC, XRF will be an added advantage.
• Be computer literate.

While reporting to the Director, NPRC Successful candidate will be expected to:

• Maintain current Good Laboratory Practices.
• Ensure proper handling of plant samples and proper sample preparation prior to analysis.
• Carry out analysis using analytical instruments such as LC-MS/MS, GC/MS, FTIR, UV-VIS, HPTLC, XRF
• Operate general laboratory equipment like freeze driers, rotary evaporators and centrifuges.
• Ensure both periodic and routine inspection of laboratory instruments and documentation of certificates from external calibrations.
• Ensure proper documentation of Safety data sheet for chemicals, reagents and products.
• Assist local and international post graduate students and researchers in conducting research.

4. TECHNICIAN - MICROBIOLOGY SECTION (GRADE C/D)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BSc. Degree from a Registered and recognized University in any of the following areas of specialization: Botany, Applied Biology or Plant Sciences.
• KSCE mean Grade C+ (plus) or equivalent and above.
• Have at least three (3) years relevant work experience in a busy Teaching, Research or a Quality Assurance Laboratory.
• Those with experience in a herbarium will have an added advantage.
• Be computer literate.

While reporting to the Director, NPRC Successful candidate will be expected to:

• Maintain current Good Laboratory Practices.
• Prepare and review standard operating procedures.
• Identify medicinal plants and herbal materials in the field.
• Collect, harvest and transport medicinal plant materials to NPRC.
• Participate in primary and secondary processing of herbal materials.
• Use microscopic and macroscopic techniques to identify herbal materials and adulterants in the laboratory.
• Calibrate and maintain assigned laboratory equipment.
• Create a herbarium of medicinal plants at the NPRC.
• Participate in quality improvement programs to ensure that the laboratory testing is accurate and timely.
• Assist local and international postgraduate students and researchers in laboratory and field work.
• Participate in documentation of medicinal plants of Kenya.
• Participate in maintenance of Kenyatta University Medicinal Plants Research Garden.
• Participate in establishment of medicinal plants gardens in Kenya.

5. TECHNICIAN – FOOD & SAFETY SECTION (GRADE C/D)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BSc. Degree from a recognized University in any of the following areas of specialization: Food Science and Technology, Food Nutrition and Dietetics.
• KSCE mean Grade C+ (plus) or equivalent and above.
• Have at least three (3) years relevant work experience in a busy Teaching, Research, Food processing company or related companies.
• Be computer literate.

While reporting to the Director, NPRC Successful candidate will be expected to:

• Report to the Director NPRC or his/her appointee.
• Maintain current Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Prepare and review standard operating procedures.
• Identify and source quality raw herbal materials.
• Engage farmers for contractual production of medicinal plants.
• Make daily observations of processing activities at the Upscaling section.
• Identify and source proper packaging and labeling materials for each product.
• Oversee the inspection of outgoing finished goods as well as incoming raw materials.
• Ensure proper sampling of raw materials and finished products for quality assessment in the microbiology and quality assurance laboratories.
• Ensure that quality products meet customer needs.
• Prepare and maintain quality and production records.
• Ensure accurate stock records.

6. TECHNICIAN - FOOD & SAFETY SECTION (GRADE III/IV)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certificate from a registered and recognized Institution in any of the following areas of specialization: Housekeeping Techniques or Food & Beverage Production & Service
• KSCE mean Grade D-(minus) or equivalent and above.
• Have at least three (3) years work experience in housekeeping or food and beverage production and service.
• Experience in operating nutraceutical processing equipment will be an added advantage.
• Be computer literate.

While reporting to the Director, NPRC Successful candidate will be expected to:

• Report to the Director NPRC or his/her appointee.
• Maintain the set standard operating procedures for cleaning the processing area, packaging area, herbal materials and processing equipment.
• Keep an inventory of all housekeeping supplies and check it regularly.
• Maintain the set standard operating procedures for handling of herbal materials, from processing to packaging.
• Participate in primary and secondary processing of herbal materials. 

7. MACHINE OPERATOR - FOOD PROCESSING SECTION (GRADE III/IV)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certificate from a registered and recognized Institution in any of the following areas of specialization Mechanical Engineering or Electrical and Electronics Engineering
• KSCE mean Grade D- (minus) or equivalent and above.
• Have at least three (30 years relevant working experience in a Mechanical Engineering or Electrical and Electronics Engineering field
• Experience in operating nutraceutical processing equipment will be an added advantage.
• Be computer literate

While reporting to the Director, NPRC Successful candidate will be expected to:

• Report to the Director NPRC or his/her appointee.
• Maintain the set standard operating procedures for operation and maintenance of processing and packaging equipment.
• Keep an inventory of all equipment accessories and spare-parts.
• Develop and maintain service schedules for processing and packaging equipment.
• Participate in primary and secondary processing of herbal materials.

TERMS OF SERVICE:

A competitive remuneration package which includes basic salary, generous house allowance, and medical cover as per University Scheme will be provided.

The applicants should provide full details of educational and professional qualification, work experience, present post and salary, applicant’s telephone number and e-mail address

Copies of certificates and testimonials should also be enclosed giving the names and addresses of three (3) referees who are conversant with the applicant’s competence in area of specialization.

Applicants should write directly to:

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration)

Kenyatta University

PO. BOX 43844 – 00100

NAIROBI

Applications should be received not later than,

13^th July 2022

For details related to job specification and general requirements, kindly visit our website: www.ku.ac.ke

*Kenyatta University is an equal opportunity employer and canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

*Women and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.

*Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted