Senior Principal Research Scientist

About

KMFRI seeks three Senior Principal Research Scientists for its Oceans, Coastal Systems & Blue Economy, Freshwater Systems, Aquaculture and Socioeconomics Directorates. Candidates require 12 years’ relevant experience including three years as Principal Research Scientist or comparable, relevant bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees, publications and leadership/corporate governance training. Job grade: KMFRI Grade 4. Number of posts: 3. Reference: KMF/EXT/ADVT/SPRS/3. Salary: Basic Salary Scale: KShs. 148,634 – KShs. 193,225 P.M.; House Allowance: KShs. 50,000 P.M.; Commuter Allowance: KShs. 17,000 P.M.; Annual Leave Allowance: KShs.20,000 P.A.; Medical Cover and O

How to apply

Submit an application online through KMFRI’s official recruitment portal: https://careers.kmfri.go.ke/. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor scientists, technologists, postgraduate students, and interns to strengthen talent development and research capacity.
• Coordinate and oversee staff performance appraisals, training, and professional growth for improved research delivery.
• Lead and coordinate implementation of strategic plans, multidisciplinary projects, and institutional priorities to achieve set outputs and outcomes.
• Ensure quality assurance and compliance in fieldwork, data collection, audits, risk management, and reporting.
• Review and certify research proposals, technical reports, and standards for fisheries, ecosystems, and blue economy activities.
• Advise management on research, policy, and development matters while representing the institute in taskforces, committees, and professional bodies.
• Mobilize resources through proposal development, donor engagement, consultancy services, and revenue-generating initiatives.
• Manage finances and procurement by preparing budgets, work plans, procurement plans, and ensuring expenditure control and donor reporting.
• Monitor and evaluate research activities, performance, and compliance to improve efficiency and accountability.
• Produce and disseminate technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and value-use documents for stakeholder uptake.
• Network and collaborate with national, regional, and international partners to enhance innovations, joint research, and knowledge transfer.
• Identify and upscale research innovations, technologies, and solutions to support the blue economy and sustainable development.
• Engage stakeholders and visitors through briefings, dissemination fora, and outreach activities to enhance visibility and impact.

Qualifications

• Cumulative service period of twelve (12) years’ relevant work experience, three (3) of which must have been at the grade of Principal Research Scientist (currently KMFRI Grade 5) or in a comparable position.
• 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
• 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.
• Leadership Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks (cumulative)/Corporate Governance course from a recognized institution.
• Cumulatively published at least ten (10) 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.
• Proficiency in computer applications.
• Demonstrated results in work performance.
• Fulfilment of the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.