Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Associate Breeder)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is a global leader in agricultural research and development, particularly focused on maize and wheat improvement. Established in 1966, CIMMYT operates in over 50 countries and employs more than 1,000 staff members. The organization aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through innovative research and sustainable agricultural practices. CIMMYT is part of the CGIAR, a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food secure future. The center emphasizes collaboration with national agricultural research systems, universities, and the private sector to enhance security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and resilience against climate change.

Job Overview:
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Associate Breeder) position at CIMMYT is designed for a highly motivated individual who will support the sorghum breeding program with a focus on rapid cycling genomic selection (RCGS), sparse testing, and the integration of breeding pipelines. This role is crucial for implementing innovations in breeding practices across East and Southern Africa (ESA), particularly through collaboration with the Africa Dryland Crops Improvement Network (ADCIN). The successful candidate will provide technical leadership in breeding operations, working closely with quantitative geneticists and breeders to enhance population development and selection processes. The position aims to strengthen the connection between advanced analytics and practical field delivery, contributing to the broader goals of CGIAR in developing efficient breeding systems and fostering partnerships that lead to climate-resilient crop improvements for smallholder farmers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow include collaborating with quantitative geneticists, breeders, and technicians to translate genomic and predictive analytics into actionable breeding decisions. The fellow will support the senior breeder in deploying advanced breeding innovations across the ADCIN sorghum network, which includes recurrent and rapid-cycle genomic selection, as well as the identification, crossing, selection, and advancement of breeding populations. Additionally, the fellow will coordinate sparse multi-location testing and multi-environment validation, working with partners on trial planning, site selection, deployment, and phenotyping. Responsibilities also include managing trial quality, data generation, and collaborating with biometricians on data analysis. The fellow will prepare scientific publications, technical reports, and presentations to document research activities and outcomes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD in Plant Breeding, Agronomy, or a closely related discipline, obtained within the last five years or expected to graduate within the next six months. They should have experience in field-based breeding research, particularly in multi-environment trials or breeding pipeline implementation in sorghum. A strong working knowledge of genomic selection, breeding data systems, and quantitative genetics is essential. The ability to collaborate effectively with breeders, field teams, and data analysts in applied breeding environments is crucial, along with a proven track record in scientific publications. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory, and experience with sparse testing, RCGS, predictive breeding, or rapid generation advancement in sorghum is desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a PhD in Plant Breeding, Agronomy, or a closely related field. Candidates should have completed their doctoral studies within the last five years or be on track to graduate within the next six months. This advanced degree is essential for understanding the complexities of breeding research and the application of genomic technologies in crop improvement.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a solid level of experience in field-based breeding research, particularly with multi-environment trials and the implementation of breeding pipelines in sorghum. Experience in collaborating with diverse teams, including breeders, technicians, and data analysts, is crucial for success in this role. A demonstrated ability to produce scientific publications and engage in research activities is also necessary.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with strong written and verbal communication skills required. While English proficiency is essential, additional languages may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is initially fixed-term for two years, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. CIMMYT offers an internationally competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children's education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contributions to a retirement plan, and generous relocation assistance. Candidates are required to submit a CV with contact details of three work-related references and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CIMMYT is committed to fostering a multicultural work environment that values gender equality and diversity, encouraging women to apply.