About our Organisation
CIMMYT is committed to improving livelihoods in developing
countries.
CIMMYT is an international nonprofit research and training
center with direct links to about 100 developing countries through offices in
Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
We participate in an extensive global network of people and
organizations who share similar development goals, including the public and
private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, relief and
health agencies, farmers, and the development assistance community.
The Position
Research Assistant
The position will be based at CIMMYT Nairobi office.
The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Scientist /
Maize Breeder, providing technical support to CIMMYT scientists by carrying out
the following activities:
- Assist the
Scientist in the planting and management of pollinations in maize breeding
nurseries at various locations in Kenya
- Assist the
Scientist supervise field breeding activities including seed preparation,
planting, managing and harvesting of nurseries and trials
- Assist in the
designing, planting and managing maize breeding multi-environment trials
in eastern, central and southern Africa.
- Assist in
planting and execution of managed drought stress maize trials in Kenya and
Tanzania.
- Assist in the
management of seed and trial shipments to CIMMYT collaborators
- Assist the
Scientist in supervising research technicians
- Under the
direction of the Scientist manage seed storage including labelling and
seed inventories
- Carry out
electronic data capture, data management and data analysis
- Assist in
drafting journal papers from CIMMYT research related work for publication
in peer-reviewed journals
- Under the
direction of the Scientist coordinate CIMMYT project research activities
at other locations in Kenya
- As directed
provide technical assistance to Visiting Scientists and graduate students
Requirements:
- A Master’s
degree in Plant Breeding or Genetics
- 3-4 years’
experience in the field of plant breeding
- Experience in
use of SAS or GenStat statistical software for data analysis
- Experience in
the use of Field book software for data and pedigree management is a
prerequisite.
- Experience in
working on maize and especially for stress tolerance including drought and
soil fertility will be an added advantage
- Practical
experience in working with field layout will be an added advantage.
- Demonstrated
good communication and organizational skills and ability to work under
pressure
- Ability to
effectively work with minimum supervision
- Good
interpersonal skills, strong team spirit, integrity, honesty and
self-motivation
- A valid Kenya
driver’s license.
Terms of offer
The World Agroforestry Centre 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, assessment of performance, continued relevance of the position and
availability of resources.
How to apply
Applications for the position must include:
- A cover letter
illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed
requirements and salary expectations
- A detailed
curriculum vitae
- The names and
addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax numbers and email
addresses.
All correspondence should be addressed to the
Human Resources Unit,
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF),
PO Box 30677,
Nairobi, Kenya
OR via email: icrafhru@cgiar.org
and should indicate “Application for RESEARCH ASSISTANT -
CIMMYT” on their application letters and email submissions.
Applications will be considered until 8th February 2013.
Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above
requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about ICRAF and CIMMYT by accessing
our web sites www.cimmyt.org andwww.worldagroforestry.org
