Statistical Geneticist

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works at the crossroads of livestock and poverty, bringing high-quality livestock science, communications and capacity building to bear on poverty reduction and sustainable development. ILRI is one of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ILRI has campuses in Kenya (headquarters) and Ethiopia, with other offices located in other regions of Africa (Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria) as well as in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, Vietnam) and East Asia (China).

ILRI also manages the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub, a new centre for excellence in modern plant and animal biology in Africa. BecA is an initiative developed within the framework of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)/ African Union African Biosciences initiative. It consists of a Hub based on the ILRI campus in Nairobi, Kenya and a network of regional nodes and other affiliated laboratories and organizations throughout the region. The BecA Hub facilities are world class, including a range of molecular, plant transformation, and genomics laboratories and equipment (e.g. 454 sequencing, Biosafety level 3 laboratory, plant growth facilities). The Hub hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas where new developments in science offer promise to address previously intractable problems constraining Africa’s development.  Capacity building is a major goal of all activities. The scope covers agriculture and food security and their intersections with human health and nutrition, and the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources.  Further information is available at http://hub.africabiosciences.org/

This is an international appointment reporting to the BecA Hub Director. This position is a three year term appointment with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding, and is based at ILRI’s Headquarters in Nairobi.

Key responsibilities

• Leading laboratory based genetic diversity studies using molecular markers;
• Leading the development of additional molecular markers in goats;
• Leading the activities on application of molecular markers to breeding programs;
• Coordinating the integration of genetic diversity data with other metadata for strengthening existing breeding programs in selected Sub Saharan African countries;

• Contributing to capacity strengthening;

• Supervising junior staff, students and visiting scientists;

• Contributing to resource mobilization.

Requirements

• Ph.D. degree in genetics, molecular biology or other related areas;
• Strong background in quantitative genetics;
• Application of molecular markers;
• Strong statistical and analytical background;
• Population genetics;
• Molecular genetic diversity/phylogenetics practical experience;
• Track record in resource mobilisation;
• Interest in international agricultural research and development;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to perform in a multicultural research environment and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Experience in the following areas will be considered an asset:

• Knowledge of component trait analysis;
• Phenotypic analysis;
• Data integration for developing breeding strategies;
• Capacity strengthening;
• Interest in international agricultural research and development;
• Ability to work as part of multidisciplinary teams;
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV explaining their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resources Director by registering at this link:  http://www.myjobsinkenya.com/?s=view_recr_profile&i=100018. Only applications that are received via this link will be considered and only short listed candidates will be contacted. The position title and reference number STAT/GEN/BECA/12/11 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

To find out more about ILRI and the BecA Hub, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org andhttp://hub.africabiosciences.org.

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates from African countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.