Adjunct Scientist - Program Dryland Crops Improvement

Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) is a non-profit, international organization established to address global agricultural challenges, particularly in the Global South. Founded in 1966, 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 in numerous countries, collaborating with local agricultural research institutions to enhance the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers and promote sustainable agrifood systems. CIMMYT is dedicated to fostering partnerships and building capacity among agricultural scientists to tackle pressing security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security issues.

Job Overview:
The Adjunct Scientist position within CIMMYT's Dryland Crops Program (DCP) is designed for early- to mid-career scientists from National Agricultural Research Institutions (NARS) in selected focus countries. This role aims to strengthen collaborative research efforts on the improvement of dryland crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, groundnut, and pigeon pea in West and Eastern Africa. The Adjunct Scientist will work closely with a CIMMYT scientist to advance their research programs, engage in proposal development, and participate in scientific publications and conferences. This position is part-time and emphasizes professional development through networking and capacity strengthening, contributing to a shared vision for dryland crop improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Adjunct Scientist will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Implementing CIMMYT research activities under the guidance of the host CIMMYT scientist.
• Facilitating collaboration by engaging with the host scientist in relevant institutional research activities.
• Contributing to teamwork in a multicultural environment.
• Developing joint research proposals and participating in scientific publications.
• Engaging in the dissemination of research findings and contributing to CIMMYT's strategic and technical meetings.
• Participating in exchange visits, field activities, workshops, and scientific conferences, contingent on funding availability.
• Complying with CIMMYT's policies and procedures.
• Documenting achievements and lessons learned in technical reports from jointly implemented activities.
• Submitting an exit report using the prescribed template to provide feedback for program improvement.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• Be active full-time employees of a National Agricultural Research Institution in one of the target countries.
• Have institutional support and endorsement from their employer.
• Hold either a PhD in a relevant discipline awarded within the last 10 years, demonstrating an active research program and scientific contributions, or an MSc with 5-10 years of leadership experience in agricultural research, including leading research projects or technical initiatives.
• Exhibit strong scientific potential and a commitment to collaborative research.
• Possess good written and spoken English skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a PhD or MSc in a relevant field related to agricultural research. A PhD should have been awarded within the last 10 years, while an MSc should be accompanied by significant leadership experience in the field. Relevant disciplines include plant breeding, agronomy, socioeconomics, data science, and related areas.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have either a PhD with evidence of an active research program or an MSc with substantial leadership experience in agricultural research. This experience should include managing research projects and initiatives, demonstrating the ability to contribute effectively to collaborative research efforts.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, both written and spoken. Additional language skills relevant to the target countries may be advantageous but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The appointment is for one year, with the possibility of a one-year extension based on performance and funding availability. Adjunct Scientists will remain employees of their home institutions and will receive a monthly gross allowance of USD 1,000 to supplement their institutional salary. They will also have opportunities for collaboration, participation in scientific meetings, and coverage of travel expenses for CIMMYT-approved activities. Health and life insurance coverage will be provided where applicable. Applications must include a Letter of Motivation and an Institutional Endorsement Letter.