Post-Doctoral Fellow in Breeding
The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (www.ciat.cgiar.org) works to reduce hunger and poverty, and improve human health in the tropics through research aimed at increasing the eco-efficiency of agriculture. CIAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium (www.cgiar.org), a global research partnership working many partners for a food secure future. The Center’s research focuses on improving key crops (cassava, common bean, rice, and tropical forages); reversing soil and land degradation; and using information to foster better decisions about issues such as climate change and environmental management. Headquartered near Cali, Colombia, CIAT has regional offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and Hanoi, Vietnam, with staff posted in other developing countries as well.
The Post-Doctoral Fellow in Breeding will be responsible for key objectives of the breeding program, including disease and pest resistance, tolerance to abiotic stress (especially heat and drought) and improved nutritional quality with regard to iron and zinc concentration in grain for human health outcomes. The breeder position to be located in West Africa, will coordinate bean breeding and other related research activities in the region, but the results will have application across similar agro-ecologies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Responsibilities:
Identify the critical constraints to bean production in the region and develop new bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) germplasm with resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, together with NARS partners.
Acquire and increase seed of bean germplasm received from CIAT-HQ and the regional breeding programs or NARS in eastern and southern Africa and distribute it in nurseries and regional trials to NARS partners in West and Central Africa
Support the NARS breeding teams at all levels by enhancing their capacity and supporting them to contribute to PABRA outputs and outcomes at country level.
In collaboration with NARS partners explore and identify the best suitable snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), white pea beans and tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolious) varieties for target environments in West and Central Africa.
Establish productive and synergistic working relationships with NARS and CIAT colleagues in other PABRA networks to strengthen multidisciplinary research (plant pathology, entomology, plant nutrition, and biofortification) in germplasm development.
Represent WECABREN at meetings of all levels, providing updated information or presentations on the network and related project activities and provide regular communication and reports for donors, NARS and other stakeholders.
Requirements
PhD in Plant Breeding, Experience with bean breeding would be an advantage but is not considered essential.
Conventional plant breeding and applications of molecular tools where relevant to enhancing the efficiency of improvement research.
Computer skills and ability in data management.
Experimental design and statistical analysis, including multivariate statistical analysis.
Strong communication skills - both written and oral, in English and French.
Terms of employment
The position is internationally recruited and based at CIAT Offices in West Africa. The initial contract will be for two (2) years, subject to a probation period of three (3) months, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits; we believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
Applications
Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. All correspondence should be addressed to the CIAT Human Resources Office to Isabella Botero (i.botero@cgiar.org) and should clearly indicate “Post-Doctoral Fellow in Breeding”.
Closing date for applications: November 1st, 2013
We invite you to learn more about us at:
http://www.ciat.cgiar.org
The Post-Doctoral Fellow in Breeding will be responsible for key objectives of the breeding program, including disease and pest resistance, tolerance to abiotic stress (especially heat and drought) and improved nutritional quality with regard to iron and zinc concentration in grain for human health outcomes. The breeder position to be located in West Africa, will coordinate bean breeding and other related research activities in the region, but the results will have application across similar agro-ecologies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Responsibilities:
Identify the critical constraints to bean production in the region and develop new bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) germplasm with resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, together with NARS partners.
Acquire and increase seed of bean germplasm received from CIAT-HQ and the regional breeding programs or NARS in eastern and southern Africa and distribute it in nurseries and regional trials to NARS partners in West and Central Africa
Support the NARS breeding teams at all levels by enhancing their capacity and supporting them to contribute to PABRA outputs and outcomes at country level.
In collaboration with NARS partners explore and identify the best suitable snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), white pea beans and tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolious) varieties for target environments in West and Central Africa.
Establish productive and synergistic working relationships with NARS and CIAT colleagues in other PABRA networks to strengthen multidisciplinary research (plant pathology, entomology, plant nutrition, and biofortification) in germplasm development.
Represent WECABREN at meetings of all levels, providing updated information or presentations on the network and related project activities and provide regular communication and reports for donors, NARS and other stakeholders.
Requirements
PhD in Plant Breeding, Experience with bean breeding would be an advantage but is not considered essential.
Conventional plant breeding and applications of molecular tools where relevant to enhancing the efficiency of improvement research.
Computer skills and ability in data management.
Experimental design and statistical analysis, including multivariate statistical analysis.
Strong communication skills - both written and oral, in English and French.
Terms of employment
The position is internationally recruited and based at CIAT Offices in West Africa. The initial contract will be for two (2) years, subject to a probation period of three (3) months, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits; we believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
Applications
Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. All correspondence should be addressed to the CIAT Human Resources Office to Isabella Botero (i.botero@cgiar.org) and should clearly indicate “Post-Doctoral Fellow in Breeding”.
Closing date for applications: November 1st, 2013
We invite you to learn more about us at:
http://www.ciat.cgiar.org
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