Scientist/Post-doctoral fellow-Pearl Millet Breeding (Niger - WCA)

Scientist/Post-doctoral fellow-Pearl Millet Breeding (Niger - WCA)

ICRISAT is seeking applications from dynamic and highly innovative Cereals Breeder to work on pearl millet in collaboration with other crop improvement scientists. The position will be based at Niamey, Niger, but will have to work in collaboration with ICRISAT scientists based in West and Central Africa, and with the NARS in the region.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT) is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi-arid tropics have over 2 billion people, and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT innovations help the dryland poor move from poverty to prosperity by harnessing markets while managing risks – a strategy called Inclusive Market- Oriented development (lMOD).

ICRISAT is headquartered in Patancheru near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, with two regional hubs and five country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. ICRISAT’s Regional hub for Western and Central Africa (WCA) is located in Bamako, Mali, with scientists also located in research centers in Niamey, Niger and Kano, Nigeria. For more details, see www.icrisat.org.

The Job:

• Assist in leading ICRISAT’s pearl millet breeding research and development targeting Western and Central Africa – with primary focus on Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Chad
• Work with interdisciplinary team of scientists including molecular geneticists, pathologists, entomologists, agronomists, socio-economists, seed systems specialists and technology transfer experts from ICRISAT, National Agricultural Research Institutes and development partners
• Contribute to project development and resource mobilization for ICRISAT and partners involved in pearl millet improvement and associated crop management
• Contribute to implementing activities in the CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Cereals and other major projects in the ICRISAT Dryland Cereals Research Progam
• Enhance capacity strengthening of partners in the region through degree and non-degree training

The Person:

• PhD degree in genetics and/or plant breeding with 3-5 years post-doctoral experience in crop breeding research, with an interest in both basic breeding research and development-oriented and on-farm research
• Sound knowledge of conventional, participatory and molecular breeding methods, including hybrid breeding procedures
• Knowledge of quantitative genetics for optimizing selection programs, for refining heterotic grouping and performing combining ability analyses
• Knowledge of molecular marker applications for improving selection efficiency and enhancing targeted use of genetic diversity in the breeding program
• Strong statistical skills, knowledge of computer applications and software for data collection, management and analysis
• Fluency in English (both spoken and written) essential, and  knowledge of French is  highly desirable
• Good publication record, as evidenced by research papers in refereed journals
• Proven good track record in attracting project funding
• Experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders and interest to work in interdisciplinary team with good “people skills”
• Experience with cultivar development (open-pollinated varieties, and/or hybrids and their parents) and release, popularization and effective seed dissemination

Employment Conditions:

This is an internationally recruited staff position with an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package payable in US dollars. The position is initially for three years, and extendable depending on performance of the incumbent and funding availability. An attractive compensation will be offered for the right candidate.

How to apply:

Applicants should apply on or before 31 October 2013 by email to: ICRISATjobs@cgiar.org, with a letter of motivation, a full Curriculum Vitae (with nationality, age, marital status), and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. The reference name of the position (Scientist/Post-doc-Millet Breeding-WCA), should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the email. Screening of applications will begin in November 2013 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer and is especially interested in increasing the participation of women on its staff. ICRISAT has a flexible approach to international appointments and welcomes dual-career couples.