Senior Research Supervisor at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Position: Senior Research Supervisor

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2023-007
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (2-year renewable contract)
Contract: 2-year renewable contract

Duties

• Carry out inspection survey for virus disease incidence in the seed multiplication plots and germplasm evaluation trials in the field and under screen house conditions.
• Collection of samples for health assessment and indexing by qualitative and quantitative diagnostics testing to measure virus load.
• Perform characterization of virus diversity by biological and molecular method including the use of conventional and high throughput sequencing methods.
• Carry out diagnostics testing for virus in IITA mandate crops and selection of healthy planting materials for propagation.
• Carry out virus purification and production of antibodies.
• Design oligonucleotide primers for PCR and isothermal amplification assays.
• Participate as resource person in diagnostics and phenotyping workshops.
• Perform collection and analysis of field, laboratory data and prepare quality technical reports.
• Perform any other job-related task as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualification

• BSc / HND in Plant Science, Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or related field with a minimum of three (3) years’ experience performing similar role in a well-structured environment.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Have good knowledge of plant technology, disease diagnosis, principle and application of modern diagnostic tools (ELISA, PCR, LAMP, RPA, highthroughput sequencing) and virus disease phenotyping.
• Be experience in application of ELISA and PCR based method, vegetative propagation, conduct field surveys, manage experiments, in the screen house and field, indexing and seed testing.
• Be computer literate and have ability to use basic statistical methods for data analysis.
• Have capability and readiness to travel independently within Nigeria and work on the field.
• Ability to cope with heavy intermittent work load extending beyond office hours and during weekends.
• Have ability to interpret data and prepare good technical report.
• Have good interpersonal and communication skill.
• Have ability to work harmoniously in an interdisciplinary team with an international and multicultural background.

Remuneration

• We offer highly competitive salaries with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Closing Date
1st March, 2023.