Senior Research Scientist — Oceanography
Mombasa HQ
MSc/PhD in Physical Oceanography or related
Minimum 5 years research experience
Work at KMFRI
Science that matters. Work that lasts.
KMFRI is Kenya's national aquatic research institution — 45 years of continuous science across the Indian Ocean, Lake Victoria, and Kenya's inland waters. We hire scientists, data professionals, field technicians, and support staff committed to that mission.
Open positions — July 2025
Research & Science4 open
Laboratory & Technical2 open
Data & ICT1 open
Corporate Services1 open
Why Work at KMFRI
Research that feeds Kenya — and a career built on it
Mission clarity
KMFRI's mandate is precise and consequential. Every staff member's work connects directly to Kenya's fisheries, aquaculture, or marine economy.
Field infrastructure
12 field stations from Mombasa to Turkana, RV Mtafiti, and laboratory facilities that most researchers in Kenya do not have access to.
International network
Active partnerships with CGIAR, WorldFish, WIOMSA, IOC-UNESCO, FAO, and 30+ institutions mean KMFRI staff work within a genuinely international scientific community.
Policy impact
KMFRI's research directly informs fisheries regulations and government policy. Scientists see their work used — not just published.
KMFRI is not a large institution — around 320 staff across headquarters and 12 field stations — which means the work is visible, the science is collegial, and the decisions are close to the field. Scientists at KMFRI work on real management problems: how much fish can Lake Victoria sustainably produce? Where should Kenya's next aquaculture investments go? What is the actual carbon stock in Gazi Bay's mangroves?
The institution's 45-year continuous monitoring record is KMFRI's most unusual asset. Long time series of fisheries data, oceanographic records, and aquatic ecology observations don't accumulate anywhere else in Kenya. For scientists who want to work with data that has genuine depth, KMFRI is singular.
KMFRI operates as a State Corporation, which means competitive government-sector benefits — pension scheme, medical cover, annual leave, and the job security of an established statutory body — alongside the field mobility and research publication culture of a science institution.
We actively hire scientists from all of Kenya's regions, and our field station network means that work locations range from Mombasa's Indian Ocean coast to Kisumu on Lake Victoria to Lodwar in Kenya's northwest.
Open Positions — July 2025
Current vacancies
Research Scientist — Lake Fisheries Ecology
Kisumu Station
MSc in Fisheries Science, Limnology or related
Closes 31 Aug 2025
Apply on eCitizen
Research Scientist — Aquaculture Genetics
Sangoro ARS
MSc/PhD in Aquaculture, Genetics, or Molecular Biology
Closes 15 Sep 2025
Apply on eCitizen
Research Scientist — Fisheries Socioeconomics
Mombasa HQ or Kisumu
MSc in Economics, Social Sciences or Fisheries
Closes 15 Sep 2025
Apply on eCitizen
Laboratory Technician — Water Quality Analysis
Mombasa HQ
Diploma or BSc in Chemistry, Environmental Science
Closes 31 Aug 2025
Apply on eCitizen
Aquaculture Technical Officer
Sangoro ARS
Diploma or BSc in Fisheries, Aquaculture, or Agriculture
Closes 31 Aug 2025
Apply on eCitizen
Data Engineer — Open Data & Systems
Mombasa HQ
BSc in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or Statistics
Python/R experience required
Closes 15 Sep 2025
Apply on eCitizen
Finance Officer
Mombasa HQ
CPA (K) or BCom · IPSAS experience preferred
Closes 31 Aug 2025
Apply on eCitizen
Don't see your role?
KMFRI accepts expressions of interest from qualified scientists and professionals year-round.
From the Team
Voices from KMFRI
"The data here is irreplaceable. Forty years of continuous monitoring on Lake Victoria — there is nothing comparable in East Africa. That's why I'm still here after 12 years."
Senior Scientist — Freshwater Research
Based at Kisumu Station · 12 years at KMFRI
"Gazi Bay is extraordinary. Not just scientifically — working with the community on the carbon project, watching research become someone's livelihood. That doesn't happen in every job."
Research Scientist — Coastal Ecology
Based at Gazi Bay Station · 6 years at KMFRI
"I joined as an attachment student. My supervisor was the scientist who supervised my MSc. Three years later, I was offered a permanent post. The pipeline here is real."
Research Scientist — Aquaculture
Based at Sangoro ARS · 3 years at KMFRI
Where You Could Work
Station life
KMFRI's 12 field stations span Kenya's coast, lakeshores, and inland waters. Each has its own research focus, ecosystem, and working culture.
Mombasa Headquarters
KMFRI's main campus on the Indian Ocean coast. Marine research, oceanography, RV Mtafiti vessel operations, and the administration and corporate services functions. Kenya's coast — reefs, mangroves, ocean.
Marine · Coastal · Oceanography · Mariculture · Administration
Kisumu Station
KMFRI's main freshwater research base on Lake Victoria's Kenyan shore. Stock assessment, limnology, socioeconomic research, and community fisheries management. Kenya's largest lake.
Freshwater · Lake Victoria · Fisheries · Socioeconomics
Sangoro Aquaculture Research Station
Kenya's national centre for aquaculture science. Tilapia and catfish genetics, breeding programme management, pond culture research, disease diagnostics, and feed development. Western Kenya.
Aquaculture · Genetics · Pond Culture · Disease Management
Application Process
How to apply
All KMFRI vacancies are advertised and accepted through the eCitizen Government Jobs portal. Applications submitted by email or in person are not accepted.
1
Find the vacancy
All open positions are listed here and on the eCitizen Government Jobs portal. Read the full job description and requirements before applying.
2
Apply on eCitizen
Submit your application through jobs.ecitizen.go.ke. You will need a valid eCitizen account and scanned copies of your academic certificates.
3
Shortlisting & interview
Shortlisted candidates are contacted directly. Interviews are conducted at KMFRI HQ or the relevant station. All shortlisted candidates are notified of outcomes.
4
Offer & onboarding
Successful candidates receive a formal letter of appointment. Onboarding is coordinated by the HR department and the receiving directorate.
Apply on eCitizen →
Questions? Email hr@kmfri.go.ke
Equal opportunity employer
KMFRI is committed to equitable recruitment and employment practices. We encourage applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, disability, region of origin, or religion. Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. KMFRI complies with Kenya's employment and public service regulations including the two-thirds gender rule.