Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

IITA is an international non-profit agricultural research-for-development (R4D) organization established in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and a member of the CGIAR Consortium. Our R4D approach is anchored on the development needs of the tropics. We work with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa.

We invite applications for the internationally recruited position of:

Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Cowpea Host Plant Resistance Entomologist

Ref No: DDG-R4D/PRF/CHPRE/07/15
Location: Kano

Background and Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will contribute to delivering the IITA/Monsanto cowpea project milestones under direct supervision of the Project Leader. More specifically, he/she will:

• Establish efficient field and laboratory screening methodologies for identifying resistance to key insect pests of cowpea.
• Identify cultivated and cross compatible wild cowpea genotypes with insect pest resistance.
• Study the basis for key insect resistance mechanisms in cowpea and participate in the development of improved cowpea cultivars and populations resistant to key insect pests in collaboration with the Principal Cowpea Breeder.
• Provide guidance and direction to research associates, field technicians, and postgraduate students.
• Contribute to resource mobilization and strengthening of NARS partners’ capacity in host plant resistance breeding.
• Ready to travel in project countries which include Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should have a PhD degree in Entomology or related field.

Core Competencies

• Experience in conducting host plant resistance research activities (preferably involving grain legumes).
• Experience in application of molecular tools in entomology research
• 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.

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.

Application Closing Date
5th September, 2015.

Method of Application
Interested applicants should forward their applications which 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.

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