Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cowpea Molecular Breeder
(Ref No: DDG-R4D/PDF/CMB/07/15)

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cowpea Molecular Breeder.

IITA is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Its award-winning research-for-development (R4D) approach addresses the development needs of tropical countries. IITA works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. IITA is a non-profit organization founded in 1967 in Nigeria and governed by a Board of Trustees. IITA works on the following crops: cowpea, soybean, banana/plantain, yam, cassava, and maize. It is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

Cowpea is one of the six important African food crops on which IITA carries out research towards enhancing their productivity leading to increased availability to consumers and then income and food security. A number of abiotic and biotic stresses still depress the yield of cowpea in sub-Saharan African farmers’ fields. Genetic improvement through exploiting the diversity existing in the more than 15,000 germplasm lines maintained by the institute has the potential to ameliorate the adverse effects of many of these yield limiting factors. IITA requires a postdoctoral fellow in cowpea improvement using modern molecular breeding tools.

Position Responsibilities:

The Postdoc cowpea molecular breeder will contribute to delivering the IITA/Monsanto cowpea project milestones under direct supervision of the Project Leader. More specifically, he/she will:

• Participate in molecular breeding and genetic analyses studies, including QTL detection/mapping and validation, whole genome prediction and field experimentation
• Identify key trait variations for traits of interest in collaboration with key scientists (entomologist, physiologist...)
• Implement the development of populations and improved cowpea cultivars for grain and/or fodder uses through the use of adapted and introduced germplasm, and in collaboration with national partners and the institute’s Senior Cowpea Breeder
• Conduct quality research on the genetics of key traits including resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses
• Validate methodologies/technologies to improve the efficiency of cowpea breeding programs
• Supervise field technicians, and postgraduate students.
• Assist the Project Leader in implementing key activities in the project’s target countries of Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria
• Contribute to resource mobilization and strengthening of NARS partners’ capacity in molecular breeding.
• Ready to travel in all project countries.

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have a PhD degree in plant genetics, molecular genetics, plant breeding, or related field.

Core Competencies:

• Experience in conducting molecular and field breeding activities (preferably on cowpea)
• Knowledge of Marker-assisted Breeding (MABC, MAGIC, MARS)
• Good publishing skills in quality scientific journals
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Information management skills and competence in computer software used to manage breeding programs, establish trials and analyze results.
• Excellent spoken and written English; ability to communicate in French is important.

Duty station: Kano, Nigeria.

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of two years with possibility of renewal based on performance and continued availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Applications: Applications must include covering letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers

Closing Date: 3rd September 2015

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.