Chief Research Scientist - KMFRI Grade 3 - (4 Posts)

Reference: KMF/EXT/ADVT/CRS/1

A Chief Research Scientist may be deployed in any of the following research areas: Oceans and Coastal Systems & Blue Economy, Freshwater Systems, Aquaculture and Socioeconomics.

Job description

Providing leadership in mentoring, supervising, and nurturing talent among scientists, technical staff, students, and interns;

Steering and coordinating large, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research programs and national research cruises to deliver impactful outcomes;

Directing and approving departmental work plans, budgets, procurement, and resource allocation to ensure efficiency and accountability;

Championing innovation by aligning research priorities with national development agendas, scientific advances, and global blue economy processes;

Guiding and reviewing high-quality scientific outputs, including manuscripts, technical reports, book chapters, and grant applications;

Overseeing knowledge management through the establishment and sustainability of research databases, records, and technical information systems;

Representing and advising the Institute in national, regional, and international taskforces, committees, and professional bodies;

Building strategic partnerships with donors, governments, academia, and industry to mobilize funding and enhance research visibility;

Ensuring compliance by overseeing quality control, monitoring and evaluation, audits, and reporting mechanisms across departmental research;

Promoting visibility and influence by communicating research strategies, progress, and findings to diverse stakeholders at high-level fora;

Driving technology transfer by identifying, scaling up, and commercializing innovations, technologies, and intellectual property;

Advancing institutional sustainability by pursuing consultancies, revenue generation, and Appropriation-in-Aid opportunities;

Leading teams to design proposals, secure donor funding, and address national and regional priority research needs.

Person specification

For appointment to this grade, an officer must have:

Cumulative service period of fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience, three (3) of which must have been at the grade of Senior Principal Research Scientist (currently KMFRI Grade 4) or in a comparable relevant position in the public or private sector;

Bachelor's Degree in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Sciences, Marine Sciences, Oceanography, Marine Resource Management, Natural Resources Management, Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Relevant Social Sciences or any other fisheries and aquatic related courses or equivalent from a recognized institution;

Master's degree in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Sciences, Marine Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Economics, any other aquatic related courses or equivalent from a recognized institution;

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Oceanography, Aquatic Sciences, Marine Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Relevant Social Sciences, any other aquatic related courses or equivalent from a recognized institution;

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a mean grade C+ (Plus) or its equivalent;

Cumulatively published at least 12 peer-reviewed publications in ISI-indexed journals / book chapters, of which at least four (4) are as first author, from the latest date of promotion;

Co-designed the development of at least two (2) multi-institutional and inter-disciplinary research projects that have been funded;

Demonstrated good results in work performance;

Leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution;

Proficiency in computer applications; and

Fulfilment of the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

Key competencies and skills

Strong reporting skills;

Strong analytical and numerical skills;

Strong organization and interpersonal skills;

Strong negotiation skills;

Conflict management skills;

Strong managerial skills and ability to lead teams;

Leadership skills;

Communication skills;

Problem solving skills; and

Team building skills.

Remuneration and benefits

Basic salary scale: KShs. 192,034 – KShs. 249,644 P.M.

House allowance: KShs. 60,000 P.M.

Commuter allowance: KShs. 21,000 P.M.

Annual leave allowance: KShs. 35,000 P.A.

Medical cover and other allowances: As provided by KMFRI

Terms of service: Permanent and pensionable

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Minimum qualifications

BA/BSc/HND , KCSE , MBA/MSc/MA , PhD/Fellowship

How to apply

The detailed job descriptions, person specifications and other requirements are accessible on KMFRI's official recruitment portal (https://careers.kmfri.go.ke/). Interested and qualified applicants are requested to submit their applications online through the recruitment portal. Applications should be received on or before 30 November 2026, 23:59 hrs (EAT).

Notes

Successful candidates, in compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution, will be required to present originals of the following documents:

Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations

Clearance/Compliance Certificate from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Tax Compliance Certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority

Clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)

Clearance from a recognized Credit Reference Bureau (CRB)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and shall be required to produce originals of their National Identity Card, academic and professional certificates during the interviews.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an oral and practical interview.

Any canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

KMFRI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. Persons living with disability, women, youth and those from marginalized areas are encouraged to apply.

Interested and qualified? Go to Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) on careers.kmfri.go.ke to apply

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