Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Associate Breeder)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is a global research organization dedicated to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through the development of sustainable agricultural practices. Established in 1966, CIMMYT operates in over 50 countries and employs more than 1,000 staff members. The organization focuses on the improvement of maize and wheat crops, with a mission to enhance security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and reduce poverty in developing countries. CIMMYT collaborates with various partners, including national agricultural research systems, universities, and private sector organizations, to implement innovative agricultural solutions and promote sustainable farming practices.

Job Overview:
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Associate Breeder) position at CIMMYT is designed to support the sorghum breeding program with a strong emphasis on rapid cycling genomic selection (RCGS), sparse testing, and the integration of breeding pipelines. This role is crucial for enhancing the breeding operations in East and Southern Africa (ESA), particularly through collaboration with the Africa Dryland Crops Improvement Network (ADCIN). The successful candidate will be responsible for providing technical leadership in practical breeding operations, working closely with quantitative geneticists to develop populations, conduct multi-location testing, and validate predictions. The position aims to strengthen the connection between advanced analytics and field delivery, thereby contributing to CGIAR's broader goals of modernizing breeding systems and improving climate-resilient crop solutions for smallholder farmers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow include: collaborating with quantitative geneticists, breeders, technicians, and partners to translate genomic and predictive analytics into actionable breeding decisions; supporting the senior breeder in deploying advanced breeding innovations across the ADCIN sorghum network; coordinating sparse multi-location testing and multi-environment validation; managing trials to ensure high-quality data generation; collaborating with biometricians and quantitative geneticists on data analysis; integrating predictive breeding into routine breeding pipelines; and preparing scientific publications, technical reports, and presentations to document 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, multi-environment trials, or breeding pipeline implementation specifically in sorghum. A strong working knowledge of genomic selection, breeding data systems, and quantitative genetics is essential. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with breeders, field teams, and data analysts in applied breeding environments, along with a proven track record in scientific publications.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a PhD in Plant Breeding, Agronomy, or a closely related field. This advanced degree should have been obtained within the last five years, or candidates should be on track to graduate within the next six months, ensuring that they possess the latest knowledge and skills relevant to modern breeding practices.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a strong background in field-based breeding research, particularly with experience in multi-environment trials and breeding pipeline implementation in sorghum. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with genomic selection and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment, contributing to the practical aspects of breeding operations.

Languages:
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. While proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial, English is the primary language of communication within CIMMYT and among its partners.

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 diversity and encourages women to apply.