Senior ICT Officer

Research Assistant (EdTech & AI Focus)
Reference Number: ACAD/024/11/2025
Full-Time
Deadline
02 Feb 2026
Grade
Grade
10
Open Posts
Posts
2

Duties & Responsibilities

  1. Conduct research in emerging educational technologies, with emphasis on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, learning experience technologies, predictive analytics, next-generation learning platforms, and student support innovations.
  2. Pilot Generative AI tools (LLMs) for personalised learning and student support, and assess ethical AI practices in education.
  3. Implement data pipelines to harvest student performance data, using predictive analytics to identify at-risk students and improve retention.
  4. Design proofs-of-concept (PoC) for virtual labs, AR/VR learning environments, and gamified learning modules as part of EdTech Innovation.
  5. Translate complex educational data into actionable dashboards using PowerBI, Tableau, or Python/R for data visualisation.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

For appointment to this grade, one MUST have:
  1. Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Business IT, or any other equivalent qualification from a recognised Institution is required.
  2. Well-versed in modern AI technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, Agentic AI, automation tools, and responsible AI practices is necessary.
  3. Solid understanding of AI and Machine Learning concepts is required, including Natural Language Processing, Chatbots, and effective Gen AI prompting techniques.
  4. Proficiency in Data Analysis is necessary, specifically using Python (with the Pandas and NumPy libraries), the R statistical programming language and SQL.
  5. Experience is required in Research activities, encompassing high-quality technical writing, contributing to grant proposals, and conducting detailed feasibility studies.

Essential Professional Certifications

Relevant Professional Certifications including:

  1. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate qualification.
  2. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate qualification.
  3. PCAP - Certified Associate in Python Programming qualification.
  4. AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty qualification.
  5. Tableau Certified Data Analyst qualification OR Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate qualification.
APPLY NOW

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

  1. All applications should be submitted with an Application Letter, a detailed Curriculum Vitae indicating academic qualifications, professional experience, academic leadership, list of publications, awards, scholarships, funding, membership to professional associations or bodies and linkages, valid email addresses, telephone contacts, copies of certificates, National ID, and other testimonials; These shall be uploaded at the relevant attachment sections within the OUK recruitment portal.
  2. Applicants with degrees from foreign Universities MUST attach letter(s) of recognition from the Commission for University Education (CUE) as part of the application document.
  3. Only shortlisted candidates shall be contacted and shall be required to ask three (3) of their referees to share references directly to the University using a system mechanism that shall be provided.
  4. Compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya will be upheld and any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
Note that the Terms of Service will be either Permanent and Pensionable OR Contract, as shall be determined by the University Council.
Note

Open University of Kenya (OUK) is an equal opportunity employer and, therefore, applicants of either gender, youths, persons living with disabilities and those from marginalized areas are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should submit their applications so as to be received on or before 2nd February, 2026.

All applications should be addressed to The Vice-Chancellor, Open University of Kenya, P.O. Box 2440-00606, Nairobi, Kenya and MUST be submitted online through the link provided at the University website and as per the instructions therein.