PhD Scholar in Rapid Cycling and Predictive Breeding
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) is a non-profit, international organization that focuses on improving agricultural productivity and sustainability, particularly in the Global South. Established to address the challenges of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and agricultural development, CIMMYT works with a mission to enhance the quantity, quality, and reliability of production systems for staple crops such as maize and wheat. The organization operates in numerous countries, collaborating with local partners to foster innovation and resilience among resource-poor farmers. CIMMYT is dedicated to building strong partnerships and utilizing applied agricultural science to create a more productive and inclusive agrifood system.
Job Overview:
The PhD Scholar position at CIMMYT is centered around a groundbreaking project aimed at enhancing the speed and precision of dryland crop breeding through innovative techniques such as artificial intelligence, genomic prediction, and rapid cycling genomic selection (RCGS). The scholar will engage in research that seeks to radically shorten breeding cycles, increase genetic gain, and improve the delivery of climate-resilient, market-preferred varieties for dryland farming systems. This role involves generating research evidence to assess whether rapid cycling and AI-assisted breeding can enhance breeding efficiency, prediction accuracy, and genetic gain in dryland crops. The research will focus on testing various hypotheses related to recurrent selection and the effectiveness of rapid cycling methodologies, with an emphasis on practical field applications and data analysis.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The PhD Scholar will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive research plan that investigates rapid cycling and predictive breeding hypotheses. Key responsibilities include evaluating the effectiveness of accelerated breeding pipelines, participating in hands-on field research to compare predicted performance with actual outcomes, conducting statistical and quantitative genetic analyses, and contributing to the writing of scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication. The scholar will also be expected to present findings at meetings and conferences, and to collaborate closely with CIMMYT scientists and university academic supervisors throughout the research process.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Plant Breeding, Quantitative Genetics, Statistical Genomics, Crop Science, or a closely related field. A strong interest in predictive breeding and applied breeding research is essential, along with proficiency in data analysis using R and/or Python. Good writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills are required, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with scientists, breeders, and field teams. Additionally, applicants must be enrolled or agree to enroll in a university in Africa, with their thesis work based in Kiboko, Kenya, and should be willing to travel to project scope countries such as Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Plant Breeding, Quantitative Genetics, Statistical Genomics, or Crop Science. This advanced degree is crucial as it provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for conducting high-level research in the area of rapid cycling and predictive breeding.
Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a solid background in plant breeding and genetics, with experience in statistical analysis and data interpretation. While specific years of experience may not be mandated, a demonstrated ability to engage in research activities and a strong understanding of breeding methodologies will be essential for success in this role.
Languages:
A good command of the English language is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication, writing, and collaboration within the international research environment at CIMMYT. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.
Additional Notes:
The PhD Scholar position is expected to last for a duration of 3 to 4 years, contingent upon university registration and project funding. The successful candidate will be managed by the CIMMYT Academy, which will provide support for tuition, research activities, and a stipend in accordance with project and CIMMYT Academy policies. Candidates must apply online and submit a CV, cover letter, proof of admission to a PhD program in a relevant field, and an endorsement letter from their university professor or advisor. It is important to note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and CIMMYT is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging women to apply.
CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) is a non-profit, international organization that focuses on improving agricultural productivity and sustainability, particularly in the Global South. Established to address the challenges of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and agricultural development, CIMMYT works with a mission to enhance the quantity, quality, and reliability of production systems for staple crops such as maize and wheat. The organization operates in numerous countries, collaborating with local partners to foster innovation and resilience among resource-poor farmers. CIMMYT is dedicated to building strong partnerships and utilizing applied agricultural science to create a more productive and inclusive agrifood system.
Job Overview:
The PhD Scholar position at CIMMYT is centered around a groundbreaking project aimed at enhancing the speed and precision of dryland crop breeding through innovative techniques such as artificial intelligence, genomic prediction, and rapid cycling genomic selection (RCGS). The scholar will engage in research that seeks to radically shorten breeding cycles, increase genetic gain, and improve the delivery of climate-resilient, market-preferred varieties for dryland farming systems. This role involves generating research evidence to assess whether rapid cycling and AI-assisted breeding can enhance breeding efficiency, prediction accuracy, and genetic gain in dryland crops. The research will focus on testing various hypotheses related to recurrent selection and the effectiveness of rapid cycling methodologies, with an emphasis on practical field applications and data analysis.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The PhD Scholar will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive research plan that investigates rapid cycling and predictive breeding hypotheses. Key responsibilities include evaluating the effectiveness of accelerated breeding pipelines, participating in hands-on field research to compare predicted performance with actual outcomes, conducting statistical and quantitative genetic analyses, and contributing to the writing of scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication. The scholar will also be expected to present findings at meetings and conferences, and to collaborate closely with CIMMYT scientists and university academic supervisors throughout the research process.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Plant Breeding, Quantitative Genetics, Statistical Genomics, Crop Science, or a closely related field. A strong interest in predictive breeding and applied breeding research is essential, along with proficiency in data analysis using R and/or Python. Good writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills are required, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with scientists, breeders, and field teams. Additionally, applicants must be enrolled or agree to enroll in a university in Africa, with their thesis work based in Kiboko, Kenya, and should be willing to travel to project scope countries such as Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Plant Breeding, Quantitative Genetics, Statistical Genomics, or Crop Science. This advanced degree is crucial as it provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for conducting high-level research in the area of rapid cycling and predictive breeding.
Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a solid background in plant breeding and genetics, with experience in statistical analysis and data interpretation. While specific years of experience may not be mandated, a demonstrated ability to engage in research activities and a strong understanding of breeding methodologies will be essential for success in this role.
Languages:
A good command of the English language is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication, writing, and collaboration within the international research environment at CIMMYT. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.
Additional Notes:
The PhD Scholar position is expected to last for a duration of 3 to 4 years, contingent upon university registration and project funding. The successful candidate will be managed by the CIMMYT Academy, which will provide support for tuition, research activities, and a stipend in accordance with project and CIMMYT Academy policies. Candidates must apply online and submit a CV, cover letter, proof of admission to a PhD program in a relevant field, and an endorsement letter from their university professor or advisor. It is important to note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and CIMMYT is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging women 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.