Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is a leading health research organization in Africa, recognized for developing, testing, and validating innovations that improve health outcomes. Guided by its strategic mandate in research, training, and services, the Institute works across biomedical and ecological sciences, intervention studies, health-systems research, service delivery, and policy translation. Through these activities, IHI contributes to stronger evidence, improved healthcare delivery, and the development of solutions for important public health challenges in Tanzania and beyond.
In this September 2026 recruitment round, Ifakara Health Institute is offering 2 job openings for qualified professionals. The opportunities are for a RESEARCH OFFICER (1 Position(s)) and LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (1 Position(s)). The Laboratory Technician will be stationed in Kigoma Region, while a specific duty location for the Research Officer is not stated in the provided job description. These vacancies provide an opportunity to contribute to research, data science, laboratory services, infectious-disease programmes, and other activities supporting IHI’s public health mission.
Job Listings
RESEARCH OFFICER (1 Position(s))
- Employer: Ifakara Health Institute
- Employment type: Not specified in the provided job description
- Project/Unit: MoDD Africa Tanzania Country hub
- Eligibility: Applicant must be a Tanzanian national. Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Position summary: The Research Officer will support core researchers in improving data science and engineering capabilities while contributing to analytical model development, preparation of input data, deployment of workflows, and dissemination of results. The officer will also contribute to reports, peer-reviewed publications, poster preparation, engagement with collaborators, and the design and implementation of small projects supporting the overall objectives of the MoDD Africa project.
- Key responsibilities: Undertake and support literature reviews, data exploration and data extraction, including extracting modelling metrics from published literature and official reports.
- Obtain, manage, process, and conduct preliminary analyses on a variety of datasets.
- Use Excel, ArcGIS/QGIS, STATA, R, Python, and other relevant software to examine, manipulate, analyse and process data and produce graphs, reports, maps, and other visualisations.
- Create, document, version-control, and maintain robust ETL data pipelines.
- Select, follow, and adapt data extraction and manipulation protocols.
- Promote best practices in data use and analytics, including IT housekeeping, backups, protocol documentation, data-processing procedures, and procedural reviews.
- Take reasonable care for personal safety and health and avoid actions or omissions that may affect the safety and health of others at work.
- Identify and assess workplace hazards and apply appropriate hazard controls.
- Adhere to IHI core values.
- Follow institutional policies and procedures.
- Skills: Understanding of the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and other infectious diseases, as well as public health.
- Ability and experience in writing code in R-Studio, developing software packages, and creating dashboards.
- Interest in career development, including joining an MSc or PhD programme in advanced modelling.
- Knowledge of languages including Swahili, French, Spanish, or Portuguese is an advantage.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills delivered in a professional and courteous manner.
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as R/Python or Stata, with knowledge of other statistical software and data-visualisation applications.
- Qualification required: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area such as statistics, mathematics, data/computer science/engineering, or a similar quantitative discipline.
- Experience: Experience managing, analysing, interpreting, wrangling, and manipulating data using a variety of software platforms, including familiarity with programming languages such as R or Python and geospatial tools such as ArcGIS or QGIS.
- Basic experience in data analysis or modelling, preferably related to infectious diseases or public health.
- Experience working with spatial data and geometry files using GIS tools.
- Experience developing and/or delivering training for different audiences.
- Preferred language skills: Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English.
- Knowledge of Swahili, French, Spanish, Portuguese, or other languages is an advantage.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in a professional and courteous manner.
- Remuneration: An attractive and competitive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate in accordance with IHI salary scales.
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (1 Position(s))
- Employer: Ifakara Health Institute
- Location: Kigoma Region
- Employment type: Not specified in the provided job description
- Project: ACHIEVE Project
- Reporting to: Project Leader
- Position summary: The Laboratory Technician will work under the ACHIEVE Project and report to the Project Leader. The technician will be stationed in Kigoma Region and will work in health facilities where recruitment and scheduled follow-up visits for study participants are conducted.
- Key responsibilities: Plan and supervise the collection of samples from participating health facilities.
- Ensure all specimens delivered to the laboratory are properly received, appropriately labelled and documented, processed, tested, and recorded in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Ensure specimen records are stored and located in accordance with SOPs.
- Plan and perform routine and specialised technical procedures required by the project.
- Help maintain laboratory premises and equipment in accordance with relevant advice, guidelines, and equipment manuals.
- Participate in Quality Control programmes in accordance with Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP) to support reliable testing procedures, proper equipment functioning, and regulatory compliance.
- Refine and improve laboratory processes to help reduce experimental costs and improve laboratory performance.
- Prepare and update SOPs and undertake administrative work as directed by supervisors.
- Assist in ensuring preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment is conducted as planned.
- Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements relating to safety, ethics, and data management.
- Maintain compliance and safety documentation.
- Keep laboratory supplies available by managing stock inventory, placing orders, and updating stock bin cards.
- Manage waste disposal and recycling programmes.
- Be available for on-call duties when required.
- Carry out additional duties assigned by the Project Leader.
- Skills: Ability to perform clinical chemistry analyses using the COBAS 400plus analyser and other relevant equipment.
- Ability to perform malaria diagnosis using microscopy and RDT.
- Ability to perform urinalysis using both microscopy and dipstick methods.
- Ability to perform basic microbiological, entomological, and parasitological analyses.
- Basic digital skills, including Microsoft Office and data-management tools.
- Time-management skills for establishing priorities and planning project timelines.
- Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
- Self-motivation, ability to work with minimal supervision, and ability to meet deadlines.
- Effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
- Qualification required: Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science.
- Experience: At least one year of working experience.
- Preferred language skills: Good verbal and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
- Remuneration: An attractive and competitive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate in accordance with IHI salary scales.
Click here to apply
Application Instructions
Applicants should apply through the Ifakara Health Institute recruitment portal and select the job they want to apply for.
Candidates should carefully review the full requirements for their preferred position before submitting an application through the portal.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Ifakara Health Institute is an equal employment opportunity employer. The Institute is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and prohibits discrimination of any kind during recruitment and employment. Employment decisions are based solely on job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications, in compliance with the labour laws of Tanzania.
Recruitment Disclaimer
Ifakara Health Institute does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants should disregard any written or oral request for a job offer or interview that they believe may be fraudulent or suspicious.
Important Dates
RESEARCH OFFICER (1 Position(s))
- Job opening date: 25 September 2026
- Job closing date: 8 October 2026
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (1 Position(s))
- Job opening date: 18 September 2026
- Job closing date: 1 October 2026
Applicants should pay close attention to the separate closing dates because the Laboratory Technician vacancy closes earlier than the Research Officer vacancy.
Conclusion
These Ifakara Health Institute vacancies provide qualified candidates with an opportunity to contribute directly to important health research and public health programmes. Whether supporting advanced data analysis and modelling through the MoDD Africa Tanzania Country hub or delivering high-quality laboratory services through the ACHIEVE Project, successful applicants will work in roles that contribute to research quality, evidence generation, and improved health outcomes.
Interested candidates are encouraged to review the relevant qualifications, experience, technical skills, and language requirements carefully before applying. Because the two vacancies have different closing dates, applicants should complete their submissions as early as possible through the official Ifakara Health Institute recruitment portal. Candidates should also remember that IHI does not charge any fee at any stage of recruitment.
