research assistant IV – global conservation agriculture program – CIMMYT

Vacancy Number: A/034/2012
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

General: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an autonomous, non profit making, international scientific organization operating under the aegis of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). More specifically its mission is:

To encourage, support and undertake activities to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of maize and wheat systems in the interest of the resource poor in developing countries.

The position: Achieving sustainable food security is a major challenge for a world facing climate change, growing populations, and changing diets. The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is looking for an innovative, results-oriented research assistant with excellent skills in plant physiology, soil science and general agronomy to design and evaluate innovative cropping systems combining annual food crops and perennials, with the objective of maximizing tree-crop (maize) facilitation. In particular, the assistant be involved in research focusing on the following research questions, in two agro-ecologies of Ethiopia: (1) how do trees affect microclimatic variables (e.g. radiation, temperature) and resources available to maize (e.g. water, N, P)?; (2) what maize genotypes (e.g. drought-resistant, heat resistant) maximize tree-maize facilitation?; and (3) what crop management options (e.g. no-tillage vs. tillage, different N and P fertilization rates) maximize tree-maize facilitation?

Selected candidate will work as a member of CIMMYT’s Global Conservation Agriculture Program (CIMMYT-GCAP), and will be based in CIMMYT office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and will play a key role in a large multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team. The selected candidate will interact closely with CIMMYT’s team in Ethiopia and Kenya, with ICRAF’s research team in Rwanda and Ethiopia, and will work closely with advanced research institutes, national research and extension programs, national universities, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders in Ethiopia.

Depending on the selected candidate’s motivation, he/she may be supported to complete a PhD from this research work.

Key duties and responsibilities will include:

• Develops research protocols in collaboration with national programs and universities, and other partner advance research institutes
• Sets up and supervises trials based on the protocols developed
• Collects data on crop and tree productivity, soil parameters and climatic parameters.
• Analyzes data generated from trials
• Explores the wider significance of results through crop modeling
• Communicates research results to diverse communities, including scientists, change agents, policy makers and farmers
• Provides practical training for local researchers and extension agents on trials management and measurement of eco-physiological parameters
• Collaborates CIMMYT’s researcher in Ethiopia and Kenya and with ICRAF’s researcher in Ethiopia and Rwanda

MINIMUM REQUIREMENT:

Education:

• MSc in agriculture, soil science, eco-physiology, or a related field

Experience:

• At least 2 (two) years of experience in field agronomy with a relevant organization
• Practical experience in conducting on-farm trials
• Practical experience with measurement of soil water (using TDR or neutron probes), crop NDVI, canopy temperature, etc.

Skills:

• Soil and plant analysis, statistics, databases
• Excellent analytical/quantitative skills
• Strong background in statistics/biometrics
• Good working knowledge of crop growth models (DSSAT, APSIM) and optimization software (e.g. GAMS) would be a plus
• Peer-review publication record would be a plus
• Good communication (in written and spoken English), innovative, interpersonal skills and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary/multi-cultural team on trans-disciplinary issues
• Ability to effectively work with minimum supervision.
• Willingness to travel frequently
• Valid Ethiopia driver’s license.

Training:    

• Any training related to field agronomy, eco-physiology, statistics, database development, and modeling considered highly desirable

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Grade: 2D level 3.

Minimum Base Salary: Birr 13,388

Terms of appointment:  Initial appointment is (fixed term) for two years with the possibility of renewal appointment, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. CIMMYT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits in line with ILRI salary applicable for its Nationally Recruited Staff.  CIMMYT is an international and equal opportunity organization and believes that diversity of its staff contributes to excellence.

The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.  Dining and sports facilities are located on site.

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, relevant documents, testimonials, summary of his/her MSc thesis and the names and addresses (including telephone, fax and email) of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resources Office, ILRI, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Telephone: (251-11)-617-20-00; Fax: (251-11)-617-20-01.  The name and reference number of the position for which the application is made should be clearly marked on the envelopes if mailed, or on the fax applications.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Closing date:  10 (Ten) days after the date of publication in the Ethiopian Herald.

To find more about CIMMYT, visit our Website at http://www.cimmyt.org

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply