Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Seeds of Discovery Project

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

We are seeking for an innovative and academically well qualified candidate to work within a global maize research team. The selected candidate will be a member of the Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) maize team within the Genetic Resource Program. The SeeD maize team is systematically exploring the vast maize genetic diversity currently housed in the world’s germplasm banks with two major objectives:

1) Identify novel resistance haplotypes for traits that have great economic and social impacts on the developing and developed worlds. Target resistances currently under evaluation and in breeding include drought, heat, the tar spot disease complex and the maize lethal necrosis virus complex.

2) Deploy through traditional and marker-assisted breeding the identified haplotypes into bridging germplasm that will connect the banks to advanced breeding programs. The released germplasm will be well-characterized both phenotypically and genotypically.

The successful candidate will play a key role in our ambitious goal of constructing a robust germplasm bridge between currently under-utilized maize germplasm banks and advanced breeding programs in the public and private sectors, providing them with essential novel haplotypes for key traits. The candidate will also be in the program pipeline decision-making processes for breeding, haplotype discovery and yield trial advancements.
The position will be based at CIMMYT’s Main Campus located 45 km northeast of Mexico City.

Specific duties:

• Assist in the design, deployment and management of field-based and greenhouse-based evaluations in regular and managed-stress environments.
• Assist in the design, deployment, and management of breeding and test cross production nurseries.
• Collaborate with CIMMYT’s Biometrical & Statistics Unit in the experimental design for and the data analysis of the phenotypic evaluations and yield trials.
• Collaborate with the Seed molecular genetic team in data analysis for identifying novel haplotypes that are not yet represented in the elite breeding germplasm.
• Publish results in high-impact scientific journals.

Required academic qualifications, skills and attitudes:

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding or Genetics.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a traditional field-based plant breeding program and marker-assisted breeding.
• A good understanding of statistical methods for agricultural research.
• A good understanding of quantitative genetics.
• A demonstrated ability to engage in innovation and to work collegially and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Knowledge of Spanish is desirable but not essential.
• Competencies: Teamwork, Achievement Orientation, Multi-Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity, Proactivity.

The position is for an initial fixed-term for two (2) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s 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.

HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates must apply here for 16826 PDF Seeds of Discovery. Screening and follow up will begin onWednesday, 15 June 2016. Incomplete applications (CV and Cover Letter) will not be taken into consideration. Cover Letter should refer explicitly to the essential qualifications, skills, and competencies stated above providing clear and concrete examples of where, when, and how the experience was gained. For further information on the selection process, please contact Enrique Martinez, ate.m.sanchez@cgiar.org

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.
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.