Wheat Breeding and Nitrogen Use Efficiency Improvement
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Texcocodemora
Mexico
January 4, 2026
Full-timeJanuary 4, 2026
Sustainable Agrifood System (SAS) Director
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) About
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is a non-profit international agricultural research and training organization focusing on two of the world’s most important cereal grains: maize and wheat, and related cropping systems and livelihoods. They address challenges encountered by low-income farmers in the developing world including food and nutritional insecurity, environmental degradation, economic development, population growth and climate change.
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. Established with a mission to improve the quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops, CIMMYT focuses on applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South. The organization aims to enhance the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. CIMMYT operates in multiple countries and collaborates with various partners to achieve its goals, making it a significant player in the global agricultural landscape. For more information, visit cimmyt.org.
Job Overview:
The Sustainable Agrifood System (SAS) Director position at CIMMYT is a leadership role that requires a visionary leader with a passion for systems science, co-creation, design thinking, and scaling to drive innovation in global agriculture. The SAS Director will lead a globally recognized program dedicated to systems research and scaling, aiming to deliver science and innovation for a nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition secure world. This role involves working with a dynamic scientific leadership team to drive innovation, strengthen agricultural resilience and productivity, and address both technical and organizational challenges. The successful candidate will be responsible for advancing systems science, convening global conversations, fostering equitable partnerships, and cultivating talent within the organization. The position reports directly to the Chief Science and Innovation Officer and is based at CIMMYT's headquarters in Texcoco, Mexico.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the SAS Director include catalyzing research and innovation through visionary leadership, setting a bold scientific vision, and defining and executing a forward-thinking strategy for the Sustainable Agrifood System Program. The Director will lead and support leadership in cutting-edge research in systems and scaling science, promote transdisciplinarity, and enhance agricultural resilience and productivity. Additionally, the Director will integrate new science and emerging technologies, harness advances in data science, gender and inclusion, and real-time feedback monitoring. Building strategic partnerships and global influence is also a key responsibility, which includes advocating for CIMMYT’s research agenda in international forums, developing partnerships with National Agricultural Research Systems, universities, private sector players, and CGIAR centers, and engaging with key stakeholders to promote CIMMYT’s scientific outputs. The Director will also be responsible for securing funding and resources, mentoring and leading multi and transdisciplinary teams, overseeing budgeting and resource allocation, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures to drive scientific operational excellence.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess 10–15+ years of distinguished leadership experience in senior scientific or executive roles within international research organizations, academia, or industry. A PhD in Crop Science, Agronomy, Soil Science, Agroecology, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Agricultural or Development Economics, Sustainable Development, or a related field is required, with expertise in genetics, plant breeding, or conservation biology. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of interdisciplinary science leadership bridging biological, environmental, economic, policy, and systems perspectives on food and agriculture. Experience working with diverse cross-disciplinary teams reflecting the cross-sectoral nature of agrifood systems transformation is essential, as well as a proven track record of leading and managing complex, multidisciplinary research programs with international scope. Candidates should demonstrate success in securing funding and managing large-scale research budgets, possess strong international and developing country experience, and have exceptional relationship management skills.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a PhD in relevant fields such as Crop Science, Agronomy, Soil Science, Agroecology, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Agricultural or Development Economics, Sustainable Development, or related disciplines. Candidates should have a strong foundation in the scientific principles and practices related to sustainable agrifood systems, with a focus on genetics, plant breeding, or conservation biology being particularly advantageous.
Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position is significant, with candidates expected to have at least 10–15 years of distinguished leadership experience in senior scientific or executive roles. This experience should be within international research organizations, academia, or industry, and must include a proven track record of managing complex, multidisciplinary research programs with an international scope. Candidates should also have experience in securing funding and managing large-scale research budgets, as well as strong international and developing country experience.
Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international scope of the position. Additional languages, particularly those relevant to the regions where CIMMYT operates, would be considered advantageous but are not explicitly stated as requirements.
Additional Notes:
The position is offered as a three-year, fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. CIMMYT provides a competitive international remuneration package, which includes a housing allowance, access to a vehicle, health and life insurance, an educational allowance for dependent children, paid holidays, annual home travel airfare, a contributory retirement plan, and substantial relocation support. CIMMYT is committed to fostering a multicultural work environment that values gender equity, teamwork, and respect for diversity, and encourages female candidates to apply.
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. Established with a mission to improve the quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops, CIMMYT focuses on applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South. The organization aims to enhance the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. CIMMYT operates in multiple countries and collaborates with various partners to achieve its goals, making it a significant player in the global agricultural landscape. For more information, visit cimmyt.org.
Job Overview:
The Sustainable Agrifood System (SAS) Director position at CIMMYT is a leadership role that requires a visionary leader with a passion for systems science, co-creation, design thinking, and scaling to drive innovation in global agriculture. The SAS Director will lead a globally recognized program dedicated to systems research and scaling, aiming to deliver science and innovation for a nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition secure world. This role involves working with a dynamic scientific leadership team to drive innovation, strengthen agricultural resilience and productivity, and address both technical and organizational challenges. The successful candidate will be responsible for advancing systems science, convening global conversations, fostering equitable partnerships, and cultivating talent within the organization. The position reports directly to the Chief Science and Innovation Officer and is based at CIMMYT's headquarters in Texcoco, Mexico.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the SAS Director include catalyzing research and innovation through visionary leadership, setting a bold scientific vision, and defining and executing a forward-thinking strategy for the Sustainable Agrifood System Program. The Director will lead and support leadership in cutting-edge research in systems and scaling science, promote transdisciplinarity, and enhance agricultural resilience and productivity. Additionally, the Director will integrate new science and emerging technologies, harness advances in data science, gender and inclusion, and real-time feedback monitoring. Building strategic partnerships and global influence is also a key responsibility, which includes advocating for CIMMYT’s research agenda in international forums, developing partnerships with National Agricultural Research Systems, universities, private sector players, and CGIAR centers, and engaging with key stakeholders to promote CIMMYT’s scientific outputs. The Director will also be responsible for securing funding and resources, mentoring and leading multi and transdisciplinary teams, overseeing budgeting and resource allocation, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures to drive scientific operational excellence.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess 10–15+ years of distinguished leadership experience in senior scientific or executive roles within international research organizations, academia, or industry. A PhD in Crop Science, Agronomy, Soil Science, Agroecology, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Agricultural or Development Economics, Sustainable Development, or a related field is required, with expertise in genetics, plant breeding, or conservation biology. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of interdisciplinary science leadership bridging biological, environmental, economic, policy, and systems perspectives on food and agriculture. Experience working with diverse cross-disciplinary teams reflecting the cross-sectoral nature of agrifood systems transformation is essential, as well as a proven track record of leading and managing complex, multidisciplinary research programs with international scope. Candidates should demonstrate success in securing funding and managing large-scale research budgets, possess strong international and developing country experience, and have exceptional relationship management skills.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a PhD in relevant fields such as Crop Science, Agronomy, Soil Science, Agroecology, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Agricultural or Development Economics, Sustainable Development, or related disciplines. Candidates should have a strong foundation in the scientific principles and practices related to sustainable agrifood systems, with a focus on genetics, plant breeding, or conservation biology being particularly advantageous.
Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position is significant, with candidates expected to have at least 10–15 years of distinguished leadership experience in senior scientific or executive roles. This experience should be within international research organizations, academia, or industry, and must include a proven track record of managing complex, multidisciplinary research programs with an international scope. Candidates should also have experience in securing funding and managing large-scale research budgets, as well as strong international and developing country experience.
Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international scope of the position. Additional languages, particularly those relevant to the regions where CIMMYT operates, would be considered advantageous but are not explicitly stated as requirements.
Additional Notes:
The position is offered as a three-year, fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. CIMMYT provides a competitive international remuneration package, which includes a housing allowance, access to a vehicle, health and life insurance, an educational allowance for dependent children, paid holidays, annual home travel airfare, a contributory retirement plan, and substantial relocation support. CIMMYT is committed to fostering a multicultural work environment that values gender equity, teamwork, and respect for diversity, and encourages female candidates to apply.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.