Plant Breeder/Geneticist

Job Posting Organization:
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. Established in 1957, the IAEA has a mission to enhance global peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through the application of nuclear science and technology. The organization operates in over 170 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,500 employees. The IAEA's Major Programme 2 focuses on 'Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection', which encompasses various sectors including food and agriculture, human health, water resources, and environmental protection. The IAEA has laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco, and Vienna, which support its mission and objectives.

Job Overview:
The Plant Breeder/Geneticist position is a critical role within the IAEA's Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. Under the supervision of the Laboratory Head, the incumbent will engage in innovative research and development (R&D) activities, providing essential services and training related to induced crop mutagenesis. This role emphasizes the application of nuclear and related techniques to efficiently generate superior crop varieties. The successful candidate will collaborate with Member States to adapt technologies to meet their specific agricultural needs, thereby contributing to food security and sustainable agricultural practices. The position requires a blend of scientific expertise and practical application, ensuring that the methodologies developed are robust and transferable across different agricultural contexts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Plant Breeder/Geneticist will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Developing effective strategies for the generation and identification of induced crop mutants in both seed and vegetatively propagated crops.
• Conducting experiments to enhance mutation induction methodologies and supporting the design and implementation of mutation breeding pipelines.
• Managing high-throughput phenotyping for both biotic and abiotic traits, and devising characterization assays for internal and external stakeholders.
• Creating methods for early generation selection of key crop improvement traits, integrating speed breeding and predictive breeding methodologies.
• Analyzing morphological data using bioinformatics algorithms and appropriate statistical methods.
• Contributing to training activities for scientists from Member States and supervising support staff in mutation induction and phenotypic characterization.
• Supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of coordinated research projects in mutation techniques and genomics.
• Providing scientific and technical support for Technical Cooperation projects.
• Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and participating in scientific meetings and conferences.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in plant breeding, genetics, or a related discipline, with an advanced university degree being an advantage. A minimum of five years of postgraduate experience in research related to induced mutagenesis for breeding or other relevant technologies is required. A strong publication record in international, peer-reviewed journals is essential. The candidate should demonstrate a solid understanding of practical plant breeding, including cultivar development and phenotyping methods, as well as knowledge of nuclear techniques for crop improvement.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's Degree in plant breeding, genetics, or a closely related field. An advanced degree, such as a Master's or Ph.D., is preferred and would provide an advantage in the selection process. The educational qualifications should reflect a strong foundation in the principles of plant science and breeding methodologies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of postgraduate experience in research focused on the application of induced mutagenesis for breeding or other relevant technologies. This experience should ideally be gained in either a national or international research setting, demonstrating the ability to conduct independent research and contribute to collaborative projects.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written command of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Spanish, is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package, which includes a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $70,212, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. Additionally, a variable post adjustment currently amounts to US $38,26

• Other benefits include dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses, six weeks of annual leave, home leave travel, a pension plan, and health insurance. The IAEA is committed to gender equality and encourages applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries. Staff members are international civil servants and must adhere to the highest ethical standards, with a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination and harassment.