Postdoctoral Fellow - Cowpea Molecular Breeder 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 Fellow - Cowpea Molecular Breeder

Ref No: DDG-R4D/PDF/CMB/07/15
Location: Kano

Background

• 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

• 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.

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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