CIMMYT seeks a dynamic, service-orientated, innovative, and self-motivated professional for the position of Applied Bioinformatics Specialist to work closely with and serve as bridge between CIMMYT molecular breeders, breeders and informatics/software specialists to mainstream the use of high density genotypic data in our plant breeding and research activities. This position is critical to enhance the impact of CIMMYT’s work. The position will report to the Director of International Systems and Information Technology

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

The selected candidate will be based at CIMMYT’s main campus, located 45 km northeast of Mexico City, Mexico.

Specific responsibilities of the positions will include:

• Work with scientific staff to define project requirements related to use of genotypic data in our plant breeding and research activities.

• Identify or develop, scripts, tools and pipelines for next-generation sequencing and comparative genomics analyses, and implement algorithms developed by biometrics colleagues.

• Identify and develop approaches for integration of phenotypic, genealogy, and sensor data with genotypic sequence information to support our research.

• Define and document software specifications for the defined products and work with software engineers to implement those specifications.

• Provide analytical services and software tool development to support needs related to plant breeding and research activities

• Provide professional grade reports on ongoing analysis and tool development activities.

• Work with software development team members to mature and integrate analytical tools/pipelines into user accessible tools/interfaces.

• Maintain expertise in the science and application of genomic technologies as well as in informatics approaches to guide complex research-oriented software development activities.

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

• Master's degree and 2+ years or BS degree and 4+ years' experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience); degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, or other relevant discipline.

• 2+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas: next generation sequence analysis; comparative genomics;

• genomic selection.

• Experience in algorithm generation and/or implementation of computational methods.

• Familiarity with programming language(s) typically used for bioinformatics applications (e.g. Python, Perl, etc.) and statistical/mathematical packages such as R.

• Strong teamwork and delivery and deployment oriented attitude.

• Experience with bioinformatics in relation to genotypic analysis (desirable).

• Demonstrated fluency in UNIX/Linux and high performance computing environments (desirable).

We will offer an initial contract for 3 years, which is renewable subject to continued need and funding for the position and performance of the staff member. Our internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, vacation, annual home vacation airfare, retirement plan and relocation.

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 and CV no later than Sunday, 30 November 2014 to Human Resources, CIMMYT (Email: irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please indicate Position Reference number: 12361 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.