Assistant Director, Laboratory Services (Organic Chemistry)

The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), a state corporation under the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, is recruiting a Assistant Director, Laboratory Services (Organic Chemistry) (KMFRI Grade 4, 1 post, reference KMF/EX/ADVT/AD-LAB/8). Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 hrs (EAT).

Key facts

• Role: Assistant Director, Laboratory Services (Organic Chemistry)
• Employer: Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
• Reference: KMF/EX/ADVT/AD-LAB/8
• Grade: KMFRI Grade 4
• Posts: 1 post
• Deadline: Monday, 30 November 2026, 11:59 pm EAT
• How to apply: careers.kmfri.go.ke (online only)

Duties and responsibilities

From the official advert:

• Overseeing implementation of policies, strategies and regulations for laboratory programs to achieve organizational objectives
• Managing plans for maintaining and calibrating equipment, managing consumables and reagents, and ensuring efficient and cost-effective laboratory operations
• Supervising of senior staff in the department to ensure their qualification and training meets requirements for GLP and ISO/IEC 17025
• Reviewing technical documentation, protocols, and reports, including policies and procedures for recording and storing experimental data
• Implementing policies and procedures for managing reagents, consumables, samples, and specimens to ensure accuracy, reliability, and safety
• Implementing policies and procedures to monitor and improve the accuracy, reliability, and repeatability/reproducibility of test results and data
• Ensuring all laboratory activities adhere to the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) system, particularly ISO/IEC 17025, and GLP standards where applicable
• Leading internal audits to verify the effective implementation and maintenance of the laboratory management system (LMS)
• Establishing and implementing corrective actions to address discrepancies and prevent future issues, contributing to the continuous improvement of the QMS
• Overseeing all analytical work and analysis, ensuring it adheres to set standards and turnaround times (TAT); and
• Establishing and maintaining robust systems for documenting all activities, including experimental data, protocols, and reports

Person specification

For appointment to this grade, the official advert requires:

• Cumulative period of twelve (12) years relevant work experience, three (3) of which should have been at the grade of Principal Laboratory Analyst or in an equivalent or comparable position
• Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following disciplines; Applied Biology, Food technology, Analytical Chemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or equivalent, from a recognized institution
• Master’s degree in any of the following; Applied Biology, Food technology, Analytical Chemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or equivalent, from a recognized institution
• Membership to a professional body/Associations where applicable and in good standing
• Certificate in Leadership Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks, or equivalent, from a recognized institution
• Proficiency in computer applications
• Demonstrated results in work performance
• Experience in organic chemistry will be an added advantage

Remuneration

Figures below are taken from the official advert.

• Basic salary scale: KShs. 148,634 – KShs. 193,225 per month
• House allowance: KShs. 50,000 per month
• Commuter allowance: KShs. 17,000 per month
• Annual leave allowance: KShs.20,000 per year
• Medical cover and other allowances: As provided by KMFRI

How to apply

Applications are accepted online only through the official KMFRI recruitment portal. Hard-copy applications will not be accepted. The detailed job descriptions, person specifications and other requirements are on the portal and in the official external advertisement PDF.

1. Read the full specification for this post in the official KMFRI external advertisement (PDF, 23 pages) or on careers.kmfri.go.ke.
2. Submit your application online through the KMFRI recruitment portal.
3. Applications must be received on or before 30 November 2026, 23:59 hrs (East Africa Time).

Successful candidates will be required to present originals of: a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations; a HELB clearance or compliance certificate; a KRA tax compliance certificate; EACC clearance; and clearance from a recognised credit reference bureau. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an oral and practical interview and must produce originals of their national identity card and academic and professional certificates. Canvassing leads to automatic disqualification.

KMFRI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from persons living with disability, women, youth and people from marginalized areas.

KMFRI has research centres and stations at Mombasa, Kisumu, Naivasha, Baringo, Kegati, Sangoro, Sagana, Turkana, Mutonga and Shimoni, a research substation at Gazi, and a Nairobi liaison office. The official advert does not assign this post to a single station.

Recruitment by public bodies in Kenya is free. These agencies do not charge a fee to apply, shortlist or offer a job. Nobody can sell you a slot. See how to spot fake job adverts.

Source: official KMFRI external advertisement, 10 November 2026, published on kmfri.go.ke/resources/careers and in the 23-page advert PDF. If anything here differs from the official advert, the official advert wins.