Assistant Research Associate

Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to addressing the challenges of agricultural production and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established as a core CGIAR Research Center, CIMMYT focuses on improving the quantity, quality, and reliability of production systems for staple crops such as maize, wheat, and other cereals. The organization operates primarily in the Global South, working to enhance the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers through applied agricultural science and strong partnerships. CIMMYT's mission is to reduce poverty, improve nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security, and promote sustainable natural resource management. With a global presence, CIMMYT collaborates with various stakeholders to foster a more productive and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Research Associate position is a vital role within CIMMYT's Southern Africa Office located in Harare, Zimbabwe. This position is specifically designed for Zimbabwean nationals with strong academic backgrounds. The primary objective of this role is to support scientists in the execution of maize breeding trials and nurseries, ensuring effective data management to facilitate the successful delivery of CIMMYT's projects. The focus is on developing and deploying maize varieties that are resilient to multiple stresses, thereby achieving significant genetic gains at the farm level. The Assistant Research Associate will play a crucial role in coordinating various aspects of maize breeding, from planning and implementation to data collection and analysis, contributing to the overall mission of enhancing agricultural productivity and food security in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant Research Associate will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: assisting scientists in the development of annual action plans for maize breeding in Southern Africa; implementing maize breeding nurseries and trials across various locations; coordinating the preparation of trial and nursery seeds, ensuring timely planting, and managing trials and nurseries effectively, including weed and pest management, irrigation, and harvesting; monitoring pollination activities in nurseries according to supervisors' instructions; preparing and executing field trials and nurseries, including trial design and seed preparation using the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS); collaborating with maize breeding and data science teams to generate high-quality phenotypic and genotypic data; leading the implementation of electronic data capture across field-testing locations; conducting statistical analyses and verifying data accuracy; managing research inputs and supplies; assisting in training partners and students on maize breeding activities; and performing additional duties as assigned by supervisors and CIMMYT management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Agriculture or a related field. A clean Class 4 Driver's License and a valid Defensive Driving Certificate are also required. Additionally, candidates should have at least 2-3 years of relevant working experience, with a basic understanding of trial and nursery management from planting to harvesting, including data management and reporting. A thorough knowledge of specialized maize research equipment and the ability to use various analytical and data management software platforms, such as EBS, is essential. Candidates should also demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Master's degree in Agriculture or a closely related field. This advanced degree is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to contribute effectively to CIMMYT's maize breeding initiatives.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant working experience in agricultural research or a related field. This experience should include hands-on involvement in trial and nursery management, data collection, and analysis, as well as familiarity with the specific challenges and practices associated with maize breeding.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international nature of CIMMYT and its operations. Additional knowledge of local languages may be beneficial for effective communication within the community and with local partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is a nationally recruited role, specifically open to Zimbabwean citizens. It is a full-time position based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The selected candidate will receive various benefits, including private health insurance, a pension plan, paid time off, and opportunities for training and development. The role is crucial for supporting CIMMYT's mission to enhance agricultural productivity and food security in the region.