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Maize Landrace Improvement and Quality Trait Phenotyping Coordinator

Job Category:Genetic Resources Program
Position Title:Maize Landrace Improvement and Quality Trait Phenotyping Coordinator
Type of Contract:Internationally Recruited Staff
Location:Mexico
Desired Skills:
Description:
We are seeking a dynamic, innovative, self-motivated, and team-oriented professional for this position. Maize landraces are extensively grown and used in Mexico and the improvement of some major landraces could contribute to their value, such as nutritional quality and yield enhancement. In addition to conducting landrace improvement research, the staff member will manage sub-grants ensuring coordinated landrace improvement efforts among project partners. The successful applicant will also be responsible for the prioritization of germplasm and its subsequent phenotyping to identify accessions of high value for selected quality traits. She/he will contribute to validating markers and haplotypes associated with those traits, and to facilitating their use in breeding efforts by CIMMYT and others.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information:www.cimmyt.org

The position will be based in CIMMYT’s main campus (45 km northeast of Mexico City, Mexico), and will contribute to the visibility of CIMMYT’s research, partnerships and impacts in Mexico and worldwide.

Specific responsibilities as maize landrace improvement coordinator include (50% time):
  • Lead CIMMYT’s maize landrace improvement effort in Mexico in close collaboration with national partners, including the design and implementation of time and cost- effective breeding strategies.
  • In active interface with CIMMYT socio-economists, other scientists, and with national experts, identify top-priority landraces for Mexican markets for further improvement.
  • Ensure proper targeting and dissemination of improved landraces resulting from this project.
  • Plan and execute field-based and molecular research relevant to maize landrace improvement that enables high quality publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Build the capacity of public partners in the effective use of state-of-the-art breeding approaches for landrace improvement.
Specific responsibilities as maize landrace quality trait phenotyping coordinator include (50% time):
  • Liaise with CIMMYT, partner institutions and experts to identify maize races most important to pozole and tortilla markets in Mexico (local and national markets).
  • Work with Mexican and CIMMYT‘s genebanks to identify two panels representing the best aspects of pozole and tortilla maize while maintaining maximum genetic diversity.
  • Liaise with project partners to regenerate accessions and to collect necessary plant tissue during regenerations to enable molecular analysis of materials and to collect stems for stover analysis.
  • Coordinate the phenotyping of the pozole and tortilla panels with the GMP nutritional specialist, who will identify protocols and partners to generate these data.
  • Conduct phenotypic data analyses in coordination with the biometrician, and collaborate with the genotypic research team to identify accession and alleles of value for breeding programs.
  • Assist in the formation of pre-breeding populations.
  • Contribute to the writing of scientific journal articles and project reports. 
 We are seeking candidates with the following academic qualifications, skills and attitudes:
  • PhD in plant breeding and genetics with understanding of applied genomics and molecular tools.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in maize breeding.
  • Experience and enthusiasm to work with small-holder, resource-poor farmers and farmer groups.
  • Demonstrated interest in characterization and use of crop genetic diversity.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Spanish and English.

We will offer an initial contract for 3 years, which is renewable subject to continued need and funding for the position and performance of the staff member. Our internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.

To apply for this position, click on the "apply to job" button or email cover letter and CV no later than Friday, 8 March, 2013 to Human Resources, CIMMYT (Email:irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please indicate Position Reference number: 12274 in the header of your email).
For further information on the selection process, please contact Guillermo Flores, Staffing Specialist, at g.flores@cgiar.org.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.