Junior Laboratory Associate at Food For Education

Junior Laboratory Associate at Food For Education

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Job Type: Full Time

Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree

Experience: At least 2 years

Category: Science / Laboratory

Company: Food For Education

Posted: August 26, 2026

Deadline: Not Specified

Job Overview

Food For Education is seeking a Junior Laboratory Associate to support food safety testing and laboratory operations. The successful candidate will be involved in the collection and handling of food, water and surface samples, microbiological testing, basic chemical analysis, laboratory documentation, equipment management and quality-control activities.

This role is suitable for a detail-oriented laboratory professional with practical experience working in a testing laboratory, particularly one operating under ISO 17025:2017 standards. The position requires someone who can follow established laboratory procedures accurately while maintaining high standards of safety, documentation and quality.

The Junior Laboratory Associate will contribute to ensuring that laboratory testing is reliable, properly documented and conducted according to approved methods and internal requirements.

About Food For Education

Food For Education is a not-for-profit organization that works with vulnerable children in Kenya's public school system. The organization focuses on improving children's lives and school performance through school feeding programmes.

According to the vacancy information, Food For Education was founded in 2012 and provides subsidized school meals to children in public schools. The laboratory function therefore supports an important part of food safety and quality assurance within the organization's operations.

Role Overview

The Junior Laboratory Associate will support the delivery of food safety testing services involving food, water and food-contact surfaces. The position combines practical laboratory work with sample management, documentation, equipment maintenance, inventory control and quality-management activities.

The successful candidate should be comfortable working with laboratory procedures and maintaining accurate records. Attention to detail is particularly important because laboratory testing requires consistent handling, accurate results and proper documentation.

The role may also involve sample collection from centralized and decentralized sites across Kenya, making flexibility and the ability to work outside a laboratory environment important.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sample Collection and Handling

The Junior Laboratory Associate will support the collection and management of samples required for laboratory testing.

Key duties include:

Collecting food samples from designated sites.

Collecting water samples for laboratory analysis.

Collecting surface swab samples from food-contact areas.

Receiving samples submitted to the laboratory.

Registering samples correctly upon receipt.

Labelling samples according to approved procedures.

Ensuring samples are appropriately stored before testing.

Handling and disposing of samples in accordance with established procedures.

Maintaining accurate records throughout the sample-handling process.

Proper sample handling is important because errors during collection, identification, storage or processing can affect the reliability of laboratory results.

2. Laboratory Testing and Analysis

The successful candidate will participate in routine laboratory testing and analysis.

Responsibilities include:

Conducting microbiological testing of food and related samples.

Supporting the enumeration of microorganisms.

Assisting with the detection of foodborne pathogens.

Performing routine chemical analyses where required.

Following established laboratory testing methods.

Ensuring testing activities are carried out consistently.

Maintaining accuracy and repeatability of test results.

Recording laboratory results correctly.

Reporting any issues or irregularities identified during testing.

The role requires careful adherence to approved procedures and laboratory methods.

3. Laboratory Documentation

Accurate documentation will form an important part of the position.

The Junior Laboratory Associate will:

Maintain accurate laboratory records.

Keep test reports updated.

Document laboratory activities and results.

Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Assist with the review and implementation of SOPs and Work Instructions.

Ensure laboratory documentation is properly maintained.

Support the preparation of information required for quality-management activities.

Good documentation helps ensure laboratory activities can be properly reviewed and verified when required.

4. Quality Management

The position will support laboratory quality-management processes, including activities associated with ISO 17025:2017.

Responsibilities may include:

Participating in proficiency testing.

Supporting internal laboratory audits.

Taking part in inter-laboratory comparisons.

Participating in self-inspections.

Following approved quality procedures.

Identifying areas where laboratory processes can be improved.

Supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Maintaining compliance with established laboratory requirements.

Candidates should therefore understand the importance of quality systems and consistent laboratory procedures.

5. Laboratory Equipment Management

The Junior Laboratory Associate will also assist with the proper use and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

This includes:

Operating laboratory equipment according to approved procedures.

Cleaning laboratory equipment after use.

Supporting equipment calibration activities.

Maintaining equipment appropriately.

Reporting equipment problems when identified.

Ensuring equipment is used safely and correctly.

Supporting the availability of functional equipment for laboratory testing.

Proper equipment management helps maintain the reliability and consistency of laboratory testing.

6. Inventory and Laboratory Supplies

The successful candidate will help monitor laboratory supplies and consumables.

Duties include:

Monitoring stocks of laboratory reagents.

Tracking consumables and glassware.

Monitoring PPE supplies.

Identifying low-stock items.

Flagging inventory requirements for replenishment.

Supporting proper storage of laboratory supplies.

Helping maintain an organized laboratory inventory.

Good inventory management helps prevent interruptions to laboratory activities.

7. Laboratory Safety and Housekeeping

The Junior Laboratory Associate will be expected to maintain high standards of laboratory safety and cleanliness.

Responsibilities include:

Following laboratory safety procedures.

Adhering to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).

Using appropriate personal protective equipment.

Maintaining a clean laboratory environment.

Keeping work areas organized.

Handling laboratory materials responsibly.

Following approved procedures for sample and laboratory waste disposal.

Supporting compliance with applicable quality and safety requirements.

Qualifications and Requirements

Applicants for the Junior Laboratory Associate position should meet the following requirements:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Food Science or a related course.

At least 2 years of hands-on experience working in an ISO 17025:2017 testing laboratory.

Familiarity with microbiological analysis techniques.

Experience or knowledge of microbial analysis in food and beverage contexts is desirable.

Strong documentation skills.

Good organizational abilities.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

Basic knowledge of laboratory data systems.

Ability to follow established laboratory procedures accurately.

Strong attention to detail.

Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Skills That Will Help You Succeed

Beyond the academic qualifications, candidates should demonstrate qualities that are important in a laboratory environment.

These include:

Attention to Detail: Laboratory testing requires careful sample handling, accurate measurements, proper labelling and reliable record keeping.

Documentation Skills: The ability to maintain clear and accurate records is important for laboratory quality management.

Organization: The role involves handling samples, equipment, reagents, documentation and other laboratory activities, making good organization essential.

Technical Ability: Candidates should be comfortable working with laboratory equipment and following established testing methods.

Quality Awareness: Understanding the importance of quality standards and consistent procedures will be valuable in this position.

Computer Skills: Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel and laboratory data systems will support effective record keeping and reporting.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is particularly suitable for Microbiology, Food Science and related science graduates who have already gained practical laboratory experience.

Candidates who have worked in food-testing, microbiology or other ISO 17025:2017 laboratory environments should ensure their CV clearly demonstrates this experience.

When preparing your CV, highlight relevant laboratory techniques, microbiological testing experience, sample handling, laboratory documentation, quality-management systems and experience with laboratory equipment.

Candidates should also clearly indicate their experience with ISO 17025:2017, if applicable, because this is specifically mentioned among the requirements.

How to Prepare Your CV

A targeted CV can help demonstrate your suitability for this position.

Your CV should clearly show:

Your Bachelor’s Degree and field of study.

At least two years of relevant laboratory experience.

Experience working in an ISO 17025:2017 environment.

Microbiological testing experience.

Food and beverage testing experience, where applicable.

Sample collection and handling experience.

Laboratory equipment experience.

Laboratory documentation and reporting.

Experience with SOPs and Work Instructions.

Quality-control and laboratory audit exposure.

Microsoft Excel and Word skills.

Laboratory information or data-system experience.

Avoid listing laboratory skills without demonstrating how you have used them. Where possible, describe practical responsibilities and achievements from your previous laboratory roles.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to https://food4education1.careers.hibob.com/jobs?utm_source=MyJobMag to apply

Position: Junior Laboratory Associate

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Job Type: Full Time

Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Food Science or related field

Experience: At least 2 years

Category: Science / Laboratory

Posted: August 26, 2026

Deadline: Not Specified

Applicants should carefully review the vacancy requirements and ensure that their CV demonstrates the required academic qualifications and laboratory experience.

Important: Never pay money to obtain a job, interview, recruitment opportunity or application.

For more job description visit: jobopenings.co.ke