PostDoctoral Fellow, Brain and Mind Institute

Job Purpose/Summary 

The BMI at AKU is excited to offer a Postgraduate Research Fellow position for an innovative grant-funded research project focused on the investigation of structural brain resiliency via biomarker analysis to investigate and elicit thematic understanding on relevant determinants for aging, resiliency, and frailty among Kenyan adults from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in Nairobi, Kenya. The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary team, contributing to pioneering research with opportunities to spend time in leading laboratories across Wake Forest University North Carolina and National Institute of Aging, USA. The duration of the fellowship is 2 years, and contingent on continued funding.

Opportunities available to the successful applicant:

• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and resources at the BMI and partner institutions.
• Opportunities for international travel and collaboration with world-leading researchers.
• Being part of a vibrant research community with opportunities for professional development and networking.
• Making a significant contribution to neurological health research and improving health outcomes in Kenya and other low- and middle-income countries.

Key Roles and Responsibilities 

• Lead and conduct research on molecular bioinformatics, incorporating bespoke biomarker analytical methods with advanced multidimensional analysis of biomarker data (including omics) and integration with broader multimodal data e.g. neuropsychology, imaging, wearables etc.
• Design and execute research protocols in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, ensuring scientific integrity and ethical compliance.
• Develop innovative computational methods / models for multidimensional analysis of biomarker data.
• Assist in grant writing and project reporting to funding organizations.
• Engage with community stakeholders in Nairobi to align research with local health priorities and facilitate translation of research findings into practical health solutions.
• Supervise and mentor graduate students and junior researchers, guiding them in research methodologies, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Author and co-author research papers for publication in top-tier journals and present findings at international conferences.

Relevant Experience and Qualifications 

• Minimum of Masters degree (PhD preferred) in Neuroscience, Epidemiology, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Neuropsychology, Psychology, Medicine, or a related field, with a focus on with a focus on Biostatistics.
• Demonstrated experience in analysis of high-dimensional data for -omics based biomarker discovery, with strong computational skills including proficiency in R, STATA, SAS, MATLAB, or Python.
• Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.
• An interest in community engagement and public health impact.
• Experience in multicultural research environments, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa is desirable.