Plantain Pathologist 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:

Job Title: Plantain Pathologist

Ref No: DDG-R4D/PP/03/23
Location: Ibadan, Oyo

Job Description

• As part of the Accelerated Breeding Initiative (ABI), IITA is breeding plantain and East African Highland bananas.
• This position is to strengthen plantain breeding and foster the integration of both breeding programs.

Position Responsibilities
The Plantain Pathologist will:

• In conjunction with banana breeding efforts in East Africa, organize and plan banana and plantain pathology activities in West Africa.
• Interact with banana pathology in East Africa by defining common SOPs and defining a common vision for Musa Breeding.
• Where available, apply precise high-throughput tools for early screening of breeding and prebreeding populations to BBTV, Sigatoka, Nematodes, and Weevils.
• Design and implement field, screen house, and laboratory experiments on plantain pests and diseases.
• Maintain cultures of pathogens and pests and produce inoculum for screening plantain breeding materials.
• Implement digital data capture, upload, and organize data onto MusaBase.
• Manage junior staff in all plant pathology activities and contribute to orient new staff.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, materials, and reagents and assist with procurement.
• Participate in workshops and present advances in plantain pathology to raise the visibility of the program.
• Write reports and peer-reviewed publications related to pathology activities.
• Manage linkages with various research development partners in Nigeria and West Africa.
• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or related fields. Experience in banana pathology is an advantage.

Core Competencies:

• Pathology experience in plantain and/or banana breeding with at least three pathogens.
• Pathology experience in the field and with bioassays in the laboratory and/or screenhouse.
• Expertise in writing publications.
• Expertise in linking pathology to agronomy, soil health and/or farming systems, and exposure to other crops than bananas.
• Experience with molecular techniques in disease diagnostics.
• Work experience in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment would be a great asset.

General information

• The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in US Dollars.

Application Closing Date
13th April, 2023.