Senior Scientist, Grain Quality and Nutrition Science & Head of Grain Quality Nutrition Centre

To provide scientific leadership for IRRI’s research on physical, sensory, cooking and nutritional qualities of rice. You will be responsible for implementing this research, including overseeing all staff, analytical services and other resources in IRRI’s Grain Quality Nutrition Center. You will interact with the leaders of other IRRI Programs to ensure full integration of grain quality and nutrition research and analytical services in IRRI’s varietal improvement programs, towards creating product-oriented breeding pipelines that meet the demand of rice farmers, millers, processors and consumers. You are expected to expand IRRI’s research into new areas, including new nutrition and health traits. You will foster closer collaboration with other research groups worldwide, and support capacity building for national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES).

Duties

This position involves all aspects of leading a research program, collaboration with other scientists in many institutions around the world and managing a modest size center with about 30 staff. A dynamic, innovative, highly respected scientific leader is needed to set priorities, develop the appropriate implementation mechanisms, and build outstanding teams and people.

• Lead strategic thinking, priority setting, planning, budgeting, coordination, and monitoring of research activities.
• Monitor progress against quantitative milestones; prepare periodic progress reports and represent IRRI in major initiatives and meetings.
• Contribute scientific expertise and specific guidance to IRRI’s breeding programs.
• Develop ideas and strategies for new research areas, including new nutrition and health traits.
• As Head of IRRI’s GQNC, supervise, advise and guide laboratory managers, researchers, students and technicians to carry out excellent research into the physical, sensory and nutritional value of rice. Develop career paths for staff. Manage the operational and capital budgets of the Grain Quality and Nutrition Centre
• Ensure cost-efficient operation of the quality evaluation program and the analytical services laboratory, maintaining ISO accreditation of both laboratories.
• Seek opportunities for new partnerships and mobilize funds from traditional and non-traditional sources.
• Organize strategic planning and review activities to ensure high quality of science.

Qualification requirements

• PhD in an appropriate field, including agricultural chemistry, nutrition, plant breeding or plant biochemistry
• At least 5 years of post-PhD research experience, with a strong background in food quality, nutrition or starch chemistry
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead multi-disciplinary R&D teams
• Excellent written and spoken English

The position is open until until a suitable candidate has been found.

Please indicate the position in the e-mail subject line. IRRI regrets that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

IRRI provides a multicultural work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity, with a competitive compensation and benefit package. Women are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should apply online (click apply now). Should you encounter problems applying online please email at

IRRIrecruitment@irri.org

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