CIMMYT Research Assistant (Improved Maize for African Soils) Job

Vacancy: Research Assistant – IMAS (CIMMYT)

About the Organization: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org), is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries, and through offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Through strong science and effective partnerships, we create, share, and use knowledge and agricultural technologies to increase food security, improve the productivity and profitability of farming systems, and sustain natural resources in developing countries.

We participate in an extensive global network of people and organizations who share similar research and development goals, including the public and private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, farmers, and the development assistance community.

The Position: To coordinate and manage maize trials and nurseries for the Improved Maize for African Soils (IMAS) project in East Africa.

Key Responsibilities:

Supervise field breeding activities including seed preparation, planting, managing and harvesting of nurseries and trials

Assist Maize Breeders in planting and pollinations of maize breeding nurseries at various locations in Kenya

Assist in planting and execution of low nitrogen and maize lethal necrosis trials in Kenya

Manage and coordinate seed and trial shipments to CIMMYT collaborators in the region

Supervise field technicians and skilled labour

Conduct electronic data capture, data management and data analysis

Assist in drafting publications from CIMMYT research

Provide technical support and backstopping to visiting scientists and students.

Compile season summaries for technical reports and presentations

Essential Qualifications:

A minimum of MSc degree in plant breeding or agricultural science.

At least (two) 2 years of experience of field breeding and trial management.

Experience in use of Fieldbook for data capture and pedigree management

Experience of using statistical packages such as SAS or R.

Experience of maize pollination methods, trial layout and trial management.

Computer literacy (MS Office, internet)

Good communications and organisational skills. Ability to work with minimum supervision.

Good interpersonal skills, team spirit, honesty and self-motivation.

Valid driver’s licence.

Terms of offer: CIMMYT is hosted by The World Agroforestry Centre which is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment.

We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women.

This position is on local terms and will be for an initial period of three (3) years renewable, subject to six (6) months’ probation period.

The position will be based in CIMMYT office in Nairobi, Kenya but will require extensive travel to field sites in East Africa.

How to apply

Go to CIMMYT Research Assistant (Improved Maize for African Soils)

Applications will be considered until 20th July 2015.

Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.