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Maize Pathologist – Associate Scientist / Scientist

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is looking for an innovative, results-oriented scientist with excellent skills and knowledge in developing disease screening protocols and implementing high throughput, precision phenotyping for key diseases of maize. The selected candidate will play a key role as a member of the CIMMYT Global Maize Program (CIMMYT-GMP) team, and will contribute to and draw on the experience of a multi-disciplinary research team focusing on biotic stress resistance. As the Mexico-based member of CIMMYT-GMP, the selected scientist will work closely with CIMMYT’s research teams, as well as public and private partners, advanced research institutes, and national research programs to expand the network of partnerships.

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Developing innovative, high throughput and precision phenotyping protocols for important maize diseases.
  • Designing and implementing on-station and on-farm maize pathology trials, as well as collection and analysis of multi-location phenotypic data for prioritized disease traits for supporting the breeding pipeline.
  • Identifying and validating donors with host-plant resistance against major diseases.
  • Supporting the maize breeding pipeline by multi-location phenotyping of large sets of germplasm.
  • Assisting the molecular breeding team in efficient implementation of research activities related to identification and validation of genomic regions for resistance to key diseases as well as development and deployment of breeder-ready markers.
  • Training and technical backstopping of national partners in novel tools/techniques of disease phenotyping.
  • Developing grant proposals to secure funding for conducting specific research programs.
  • Contribute to collaborative efforts of Global Maize Program, research and capacity building activities in the framework of CIMMYT’s overall project agenda.
  • Contribute to the visibility of CIMMYT’s research, partnerships and impacts.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

  • PhD in plant pathology or an associated discipline.
  • Applied knowledge of experimental design, field trial management, and field breeding operations, preferably for maize.
  • Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and analyze disease phenotyping trials at the field level.
  • Demonstrated ability to publish in refereed, high-impact scientific journals.
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English.
  • Proven ability to organize and coordinate complex tasks and strong self-motivation and innovation skills.
  • Interest in international research and development applied to the problems of developing countries.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural environment and good communications skills.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org), is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. The center works to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems and thus ensure global food security and reduce poverty. The center's outputs and services include improved maize and wheat varieties and cropping systems, the conservation of maize and wheat genetic resources, and capacity building. CIMMYT belongs to and is funded by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) and also receives support from national governments, foundations, development banks, and other public and private agencies.

CIMMYT has had enormous impact in the developing world. It is the center of excellence for work on two of the three most important food crops in the developing world. Its most famous employee, Dr. Norman Borlaug, is credited by many with saving more lives than any other individual in the history of the world. Borlaug’s work dramatically increased yields of wheat in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the 1960s and 1970s, staving off starvation for hundreds of millions. For this work, Borlaug received the Nobel Prize in 1970. Scores of other CIMMYT efforts have saved or enriched millions of lives, from releasing disease-resistant varieties and varieties resistant to drought and heat and soil deficiencies, to dispersing techniques to reduce farmer costs and post-harvest losses. In developing countries, wheat varieties developed by CIMMYT and its partners cover 75% of the area planted to modern wheat varieties.

The position will be based in Mexico, but will involve frequent travel to other field phenotyping sites in Latin America. The position is initially available for three years and may lead to a career path position. CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (to Grade 12), home leave, and relocation shipping assistance.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Apply online no later than April 30th, 2012.

At www.cimmyt.org, click on “About us – Job Opportunities- Position” -2011-14 Please complete the online application, including your cover letter, competencies and experience for the position, and a detailed CV/resume.

For further information, contact Dr. B.M. Prasanna, Director, Global Maize Program b.m.prasanna@cgiar.org or the Human Resources Office, jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org"> jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.