Senior Scientist

Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, is a non-profit, international organization that focuses on improving the productivity and sustainability of maize and wheat systems. Established in 1966, CIMMYT operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 1,000 staff members. Its mission is to enhance the quantity, quality, and reliability of production systems for basic cereals, particularly in the Global South, through applied agricultural science and strong partnerships.

Job Overview:
The Senior Scientist position at CIMMYT is a pivotal role within the Global Wheat Program, focusing on research related to wheat rust resistance and pathology. The successful candidate will lead integrated research efforts aimed at understanding and enhancing wheat rust resistance, which is crucial for global security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. This role involves close collaboration with wheat breeders to ensure effective deployment of rust resistance in breeding pipelines across diverse regions. The position requires a dynamic and highly motivated individual who can engage with international research partners, coordinate field and greenhouse phenotyping, and contribute to molecular genetics research. Regular national and international travel is expected as part of the role, emphasizing the global nature of the research and collaboration involved.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Scientist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities including: leading and coordinating global wheat rust pathogen surveillance and race characterization; providing strategic oversight of rust screening and phenotyping across CIMMYT’s international research stations; designing and executing large, multi-country research projects; mobilizing resources through competitive grant development; leading international rust research networks; applying modern genetic and genomic tools to dissect complex rust resistance traits; providing technical leadership to breeding programs; mentoring early-career scientists and graduate students; and maintaining an internationally recognized publication record while representing CIMMYT at major scientific forums and policy dialogues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD in plant pathology with strong expertise in genetics and plant breeding, or a PhD in plant breeding with a demonstrated focus on wheat rust resistance. A minimum of 5 years of post-PhD experience in wheat rust research is required, along with a proven record of scientific productivity and international leadership. Extensive experience in wheat rust epidemiology and global pathogen surveillance is essential, as well as hands-on expertise in rust phenotyping under both field and controlled conditions. Strong expertise in molecular genetics and statistical analysis is also necessary, with proficiency in analytical tools such as R, TASSEL, GAPIT, or R/qtl being highly desirable.

Educational Background:
A doctoral degree (PhD) in plant pathology or plant breeding is required, with a focus on wheat rust resistance being essential. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in genetics and plant breeding methodologies, as well as experience in applied agricultural science.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of post-PhD experience specifically in wheat rust research. This experience should include managing complex, multi-country research initiatives and demonstrating a strong publication record in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals. Proven success in securing and managing competitive external research funding is also necessary, along with experience in leading interdisciplinary and multicultural teams.

Languages:
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory, as the candidate will need to engage effectively with scientific, donor, and policy audiences. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is initially fixed for three years, with a one-year probationary period. Continued employment is subject to performance and the availability of funds. CIMMYT offers an internationally competitive salary and benefits package, including 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. Applications must include a CV with contact details of three work-related references and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted. CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and encourages women to apply.