Post-Doctoral Fellow or Associate Scientist – Applied Quantitative Geneticist, Bread Wheat Breeding

Job Description

CIMMYT is seeking a dynamic and self-motivated early career researcher with applied quantitative genetics experience in cereal breeding to join the CIMMYT global wheat improvement team working in collaboration with various national and international partners to develop adapted wheat germplasm for wheat growing environments of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The position will be integrated within the wheat breeding team and will work across projects funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), USAID and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO). The role will contribute to CIMMYT’s global wheat breeding, with a focus on applying modern quantitative genetic approaches to support breeding decisions and contribute to the acceleration of genetic gains for grain yield together with disease resistance, climate resilience, nutrition, and processing quality traits relevant to targeted product profiles and market segments. The candidate will also be encouraged to pursue and develop interests in specific aspects of applied plant breeding of relevance to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

The position will be based in Mexico.

Specific duties:

• Contribute, as a member of the Global Wheat Program breeding team, to the overall objectives of bread wheat improvement, including breeding for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and nutritional quality.
• Analyze data from each breeding cycle, including development and refinement of analysis pipelines and rapid turnaround of breeding data to provide real-time decision support to the breeding programs.
• Analyze cooperative multi-environment international trials, specifically focused on South Asia breeding trials, including development of close linkages with teams in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to support data analysis.
• Apply genomic prediction and other quantitative genetics analyses for spring bread wheat breeding pipelines to support breeding decisions and enable predictive tools.
• Test and analyze the outcomes of accelerated breeding strategies implemented within the program. Provide necessary reporting for partners and donors.
• Working collaboratively, contribute to the integration of the wheat trait pipeline, pre-breeding, and breeding activities using data-driven approaches, including the analysis of high-throughput phenotype, marker-assisted selection, and genomic data.
• Interact as required with CIMMYT Quantitative Genetics lead to provide GWP contribution to planning breeding program simulations, testing and implementing the use of optimal crossing approaches, selection indices for co-selection of production, agronomic and nutritional traits, and annual reporting of realized genetic gains.
• Contribute to wheat improvement training and interact with students and visitors.
• Publish relevant work in scientific and peer-reviewed international journals.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor/s.

Required academic qualifications, skills, and attitudes:

• Strong interest in applied genomic selection, GWAS and other emerging molecular tools.
• PhD degree in breeding/genetics, preferably with wheat.
• 1-3 years of experience in applied molecular breeding research involving high level use of genomics.
• Experience with molecular genetics, genomic selection, databases, and analytical tools.
• An ability to communicate and collaborate effectively and build capacity.
• Demonstrated capacity to publish research findings in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
• Desire and ability to work collaboratively and respectfully and inclusively in a diverse, multicultural, multidisciplinary work environment.
• Significant amount of national and international (south Asia) travel for this position is required.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Problem-solving and decision-making, Client orientation, Negotiation and conflict resolution, Communication, and Teamwork.

The position is for an initial fixed-term of three (3) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health, and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

Candidates must apply online for IRS22146_ PDF/AS Applied Quantitative Geneticist, Bread Wheat Breeding.

Screening and follow-up of applications will begin on Monday, November 21st, 2022. Applications must include a CV and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. For further information on the selection process, please contact Yessica Castillo, at y.castillo@cgiar.org

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.

About the Organization

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is not-for-profit agricultural research for development organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org