POSITION:
Maize
Geneticist and Genetic Resources Enhancer
The International Maize and
Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), a non-profit research,
breeding and training organization, is seeking innovative,
self-motivated, scientifically outstanding candidates for the
position of ‘maize geneticist and genetic resources enhancer’.
The position will be based at CIMMYT’s main campus located 45
km northeast of Mexico City (Mexico) and will be initially
for three years, with definitive opportunities for continuation
depending on performance. The position will be appointed at a
level appropriate to the experience of the selected candidate
and will report to the Head of Maize Genetic Resources
Conservation and Enhancement within the Genetics Resources and
Enhancement Unit (GREU).
This position will work in close collaboration with scientists
in the Applied Biotechnology Center (ABC), the Crop Research
Informatics Lab (CRIL) and the Global Maize Program (GMP). The
‘maize geneticist and genetic resources enhancer’ will use
germplasm from the CIMMYT genebank, as well as populations of
maize wild relatives, landraces and elite germplasm provided by
cooperators to develop new maize genetic resources with useful
diversity for target traits for direct use in current and future
maize breeding efforts. Outputs from these genetic resources
enhancement activities are released by CIMMYT as global public
goods, available for maize breeding communities across the world
including CIMMYT’s regional maize breeding programs in Africa,
Asia and Latin America.
CIMMYT conducts strategic and applied research to identify and
utilize beneficial trait-based genetic variation from diverse
germplasm to be used by maize breeding programs for lowland
tropical, subtropical and tropical highland production
environments across the developing world. High priority traits
include high yield potential, grain quality, tolerance to
abiotic stresses, resistance to biotic stresses, and improved
nutrient- and water-use efficiency. Trait improvement approaches
include conventional and molecular plant breeding techniques
with an increasing role of computational systems.
The ‘Maize Geneticist and Genetic Resources Enhancer’ will
engage in the following activities:
- To become an
international leader in tropical maize genetics and genetic
resources including wild relatives
- Applying
genetics, genomics, biometrics and informatics to the
evaluation, utilization and enhancement of maize genetic
resources
- Identifying
new sources of beneficial genetic variation for high
priority traits in maize breeding programs in CIMMYT and
partners
-
Introgressing novel trait-specific genetic variation (from
wild species, landraces, and other germplasm sources) into
elite cultivar and breeding line backgrounds
- Developing
and enhancing heterotic gene pools by scientifically
managing the genetic diversity available within and outside
the current gene pools
- Coordinating
the development of databases related to maize genetic
resources and maize germplasm enhancement
- Supporting
the collection, conservation and global distribution of
strategic maize germplasm
- Assisting
the coordination of a global maize germplasm enhancement
community of practice
- Supervising
technicians, visiting scientists and students working on
maize genetic resources and enhancement activities
-
Collaborating with maize breeders (at CIMMYT and partner
institutions), physiologists, entomologists, pathologists,
molecular biologists and computational scientists
We are seeking candidates
with the following qualifications/ skills:
- PhD degree in plant
breeding and agronomy, with strong focus on quantitative and
molecular genetics
- Experience in the
application of cereal breeding methodologies
- Familiarity with molecular
breeding techniques
- Experience in experimental
design and biometrical analyses
- Evaluation and utilization
of genetic resources for development of improved germplasm
- Proficiency of spoken and
written English
Experience in any of the
following areas would be considered an asset:
-
Physiology and disease screening
-
Database design and development
-
Oral Spanish language competency
-
Leadership of collaborative research projects
-
Demonstrated ability to build effective teams with genebank
curators, breeders, biotechnologists and computational
scientists
-
Knowledge of plant evolution and domestication
-
Good publication record in international journals or good
intermediate product outputs in the private sector
CIMMYT is an internationally funded, non-profit research and
training organization affiliated with the
Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and has an
annual budget of nearly US$40 million. Drawing on strong science
and effective partnerships, CIMMYT’s mission is to help the poor
in the developing world by increasing the productivity,
profitability, and sustainability of maize- and wheat-based
cropping systems while protecting natural resources. The Center
is a global leader in scientific research and training related
to maize and wheat, and in biotechnology, economics, and natural
resource management research. These activities are conducted in
partnership with national agricultural research systems,
non-governmental organizations, and advanced research
institutions, both public and private, in globally focused
projects and programs. CIMMYT employs a staff of around 700 and
operates in a decentralized, partnership mode, having staff in
14 countries, and projects and partnership networks in many
more.
The Genetic Resources and Enhancement Unit (GREU) at CIMMYT is
comprised of around 20 scientists from a range of disciplines
including germplasm conservation, genomics, transgenics,
bioinformatics, interspecific hybridization, biometrics and
germplasm enhancement who work in holistic trait-targeted teams
including specialists in physiology, pathology, entomology,
biotechnology and plant breeding. Primary trait priorities in
the regional maize breeding programs include drought tolerance,
pest and disease resistance, grain quality and agronomic traits.
CIMMYT salaries for internationally recruited staff are highly
competitive, with a range of benefits including housing
allowance, life and health insurance package, education
allowance (from KG to Grade 12), annual medical examination, and
shipping allowance. The CIMMYT campus has recreational and
sports facilities and offers transportation to international
schools in Mexico City. Good housing is available on and off
campus, in and outside Mexico City.
CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff
diversity in gender and nationality.
Please send via e-mail your letter
of application no later than March 10,
2008, CV/Resume (including full contact information),
names and contact information of three references, cover letter
indicating your reasons for applying and strengths for the
position, plus a one page description and justification of key
research and genetic resources enhancement activities that you
would like to carry out through this position, to:
Human Resources Manager, CIMMYT
(Reference 2008/01)
Email:
jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org
For further information contact
- Dr. Suketoshi Taba, Head, Maize Genetic Resources, (s.taba@cgiar.org),
or
- Dr. Jonathan Crouch, Director, Germplasm Resources &
Enhancement Unit (j.crouch@cgiar.org).
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