We offer a unique opportunity for an experienced scientist to help us design applied wheat or maize transgenic trait or gene discovery research projects towards fulfilling our mission: to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems to ensure global food security and reduce poverty.

The successful applicant will have an understanding and passion for agriculture’s role in food and livelihood security of farming families in low- and mid-income countries. She/he will be very experienced with scientific, intellectual property and product stewardship issues as well as likelihood of success analyses surrounding the development and use of transgenic crops or the use of transgenic approaches for gene discovery/validation. She/he will be excited by the opportunity to design projects that bring transgenic technologies to bear on the challenges and needs of resource-poor farmers.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries (www.cimmyt.org).

The position will be based at CIMMYT’s main campus (located 45 km northeast of Mexico City, Mexico) and requires global vision, interaction with colleagues in other countries, and may require occasional international travel.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Lead discussions to conceptualize, develop and design project concepts that use or incorporate transgenic technologies 1) into products that are in demand by CIMMYT’s target clients in the developing world, in particular resource poor farmers and 2) in gene discovery/validation to accelerate the use of native traits in breeding programs.

We are seeking applicants with the following academic qualifications, skills and attitudes:

• Desire and ability to work respectfully and inclusively in a diverse, multicultural, multidisciplinary work environment.

• Ideally has worked for several years with the private sector or in public-private partnerships, understands concepts for selection and the development of successful transgenic projects (from research to farm).

• Demonstrated expertise and understanding of the opportunities and potential contributions of transgenic technologies both in direct product development and in discovery research.

• Passion for CIMMYT's mission and to explore the role of transgenic technologies in its achievement.

• Understanding or mature awareness of the legal and regulatory environment applicable to agricultural biotechnology research.

• Awareness and sensitivity to diverse cultural perceptions regarding transgenic crops.

We offer a 1-year contract which may be extended on mutual agreement and could lead to long-term research collaboration or to an adjunct, joint or full position. Conditions for sabbatical or work leave will be agreed, and may be equivalent to those for consultants or internationally recruited scientists, which include internationally competitive salary and benefits.

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, please email cover letter, CV no later than Friday, 12 December 2014 to HR, CIMMYT (Email: irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please indicate Position Reference number: C12367 in the header of your email). For further information on the selection process, please contact Esther Mendoza, Acting Staffing Specialist, at e.m.ramos@cgiar.org

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.