Temporary Laboratory Assistant - CIMMYT

Center for International Forestry Research
Center for International Forestry Research

Kenya · Makueni County, Kenya

Posted on Jul 19, 2026

1. Field Operations.

  • Assist in planning, establishment, and management of nurseries and field trials
  • Assist in optimizing the agromnomic management and developing efficient protocols
  • Support in monitoring plant health and implementation of pest and disease management practices
  • Assist in phenotyping, trait scoring, and accurate field data collection
  • Assist in harvesting and post-harvest activities, including seed handling and processing
  • Support optimal management of field facilities and equipment (e.g., irrigation systems, sprayers).

2. Greenhouse Operations.

  • Support operation and maintenance of greenhouses, screenhouses, and growth chambers
  • Assist in planting, crop management, and routine greenhouse activities
  • Assist in seedling handling and preparation for specialized activities (e.g., chromosome doubling)
  • Ensure proper labeling, tracking, and maintenance of plant materials.

3. Laboratory Operations.

  • Assist in seed/plant sampling, preparation, and processing
  • Support seed sorting activities (e.g., haploid vs. diploid classification)
  • Assist in sample preparation for laboratory analyses (e.g., genotyping, seed health testing)
  • Support routine laboratory procedures and experimental activities.

4. General operations.

  • Assist in research facility management, including keeping the facilities clean and neat and maintaining inventory of capital (CAPEX) and non-capital items
  • Support procurement and inventory management of consumables and supplies
  • Assist in equipment maintenance and ensure operational readiness
  • Support recruitment and coordination of casual labor in consultation with the station manager
  • Ensure timely availability of required materials, supplies, and labor.

5. Data Management and Reporting.

  • Assist in maintaining accurate and well-organized records across field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities
  • Assist in ensuring proper labeling, documentation, storage and traceability of plant and seed materials while ensuring quality control at each stage
  • Assist in supporting timely data entry, validation, and reporting
  • Use germplasm and data management systems (e.g., EBS) for generating seed stock names, codes and lables etc. and tracking the materials.

6. Compliance and Safety.

  • Follow safety protocols in field, greenhouse, and laboratory environments
  • Assist in ensuring proper handling, storage, and disposal of chemical and biological materials
  • Comply with institutional, biosafety, and regulatory guidelines.