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POSITION:
Crop
Informatics Specialist - Wheat
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 ‘Crop Informatics Specialist -
Wheat’.
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
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 the Crop Research Informatics Lab (CRIL) – an IRRI-CIMMYT
Alliance project within the Genetics Resources and Enhancement
Unit (GREU). The ‘Crop Informatics Specialist – Wheat’ will
collaborate closely with the ‘Crop Informatics Specialist –
Maize’ on issues related to the implementation and data curation
of the ICIS/IWIS3 database and with other scientists in CRIL at
CIMMYT and IRRI, plus scientists in the Global Wheat Program,
Wheat Genetic Resources and Enhancement group and Applied
Biotechnology Center.
The primary responsibilities of the position will be to:
- Work with the community of
crop and information specialists developing the public, open
source International Crop Information System (ICIS) to
assess existing data models, schemata and components,
identify any improvements required to support user
requirements of wheat scientists and implement those
improvements.
- Upgrade data integration
tools for molecular, phenotypic and environmental
information, upgrade software for and coordinate routine
curation and management of phenotype and genotype data from
wheat breeding programs.
- Manage a web portal for
all relevant information associated with germplasm being
used in and developed by CIMMYT wheat breeding programs.
- Coordinate the global
integration of all historical phenotype, pedigree and
genotype data from CIMMYT wheat breeding programs into a
single database.
- Work with the simulation
and modeling specialist to develop molecular breeding
decision-support tools based on comprehensively integrated
databases.
- Replace, merge or refine
existing wheat system components with ICIS, migrate
important historical data into ICIS-based systems and deploy
them with users in CIMMYT regional breeding programs and
national partners.
- Work with crop scientists
in the CIMMYT wheat breeding programs to determine the
future user requirements for Crop Information Systems,
critically assess existing components and devise strategic
action plans
We are seeking candidates
with the following qualifications/ skills:
- Higher qualification in
information management, computer science, plant breeding or
other biological science.
- Strong background in
information management and computer science.
- Extensive experience with
large, diverse data sets.
- Experience with crop
research preferably in the areas of genetic resource
management and plant breeding.
- Interest in international
agricultural research and development.
- Good communication,
organizational and inter-personal skills.
- Proficiency of spoken and
written English
Experience in any of the
following areas would be considered an asset:
- Systems analysis, database
design and programming.
- Familiarity with molecular
breeding techniques
- Experience in experimental
design and biometrical analyses
- Knowledge of evaluation
and utilization of genetic resources for development of
improved germplasm
- Experience in
international collaborative research projects
- Ability to work well as
part of multidisciplinary decentralized teams
- Ability to speak Spanish
or willingness to learn
- 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, www.cgiar.org) and
has an annual budget of approximately US$40 million. 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 617 permanent staff and operates in a decentralized
partnership mode, having staff in 13 countries with 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 global wheat program include drought and heat tolerance,
yield potential, pest and disease resistance, grain quality and
agronomic traits.
CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US
dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance,
life and health insurance, education allowance (to Grade 12),
home leave, retirement fund and relocation 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
20th June, 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 activities that you would like to carry out through
this position, to:
Human Resources Manager,
CIMMYT
(Reference 2008/06)
Email:
jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org
For further information contact
Dr. Graham McLaren, Head, CRIL, (g.mclaren@cgiar.org),
or Dr. Jonathan Crouch, Director, Germplasm Resources &
Enhancement Unit (j.crouch@cgiar.org).
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