High-throughput Genotyping/Sequencing Specialist at CIMMYT

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

POST:  High-throughput Genotyping/Sequencing Specialist .

JOB OPPORTUNITIES :The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is seeking a dynamic and innovative High-throughput Genotyping/Sequencing Specialist with a client-oriented attitude to establish a Genetic-Analysis Service based on genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) in partnership with Diversity Arrays Technology P/L (DArT). The Service will be located in Mexico and will initially focus on characterizing maize and wheat genetic resources for the Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) initiative coordinated by CIMMYT. SeeD has the ambitious goal of comprehensively characterizing the world’s largest germplasm collections of maize and wheat, which comprise hundreds of thousands of genotypes.   

The primary objectives of this position are:  

·         Establish, lead and manage the operations of a joint CIMMYT/DArT Genetic-Analysis Service in Mexico.

·         Liaise with DArT P/L to implement GBS methodologies, platforms, protocols and pipelines.

·         Supervise a small team of laboratory assistants and technicians performing GBS analyses for clients.

·         Assist colleagues and clients in the interpretation of molecular data.

Your job will entail that you:

·         Optimize and upscale a robust, high-throughput DNA-extraction platform.

·         Adopt, implement and refine GBS protocols.

·         Supervise laboratory operations, design workflows and establish Standard Operating Procedures.

·         Manage the implementation of quality-control/allele-calling pipelines and a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

·         Collaborate with software developers, bioinformaticians and biometricians working on the processing, management and interpretation of data.

·         Collaborate in research design, data analysis, interpretation and publications with SeeD-project participants and other clients.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

·         A PhD in molecular genetics or an associated discipline.

·         Experience in the characterization of genome representations using high-throughput-genotyping/sequencing platforms.

·         Experience in the practical use of Laboratory Information Management Systems.

·         Understanding and, ideally, experience in the use of genome-wide prediction/selection approaches in breeding programs.

·         Demonstrated ability to deal with logistics challenges related to the processing of large numbers of seeds and DNA samples.

·         Entrepreneurial spirit with strong organizational skills and a client-oriented attitude.

·         Ability to communicate with colleagues and clients in both Spanish and English.

CIMMYT (www.cimmyt.org) is an internationally funded, nonprofit, scientific research, training and development organization dedicated to improving the nutrition, food security and livelihoods of the world’s poor. CIMMYT is a global leader in maize and wheat germplasm preservation, trait discovery, breeding, cropping-systems improvement, and socio-economic analysis for the developing world. The Center has an annual budget of US$100 million and employs approximately 700 staff, including over 100 internationally recruited staff. Besides its headquarters and four research stations in Mexico, CIMMYT has regional centers and offices in twelve other countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The position is based in Mexico. It is for an initial period of 3 years, with the likelihood of periodic renewals subject to performance and availability of funding. We offer an attractive remuneration package comprising a base salary and a range of benefits, commensurate to the candidate’s skills.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Apply online no later than December 28th, 2011, go to http://www.cimmyt.org/

Please complete on-line application, including your Cover Letter, competencies and experience for the position and a detailed CV/Resume.

 For further information please contact Peter Wenzl, Head of the Crop Research Informatics Laboratory (CRIL), CIMMYT. p.wenzl@cgiar  or Human Resources Officer, jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://www.cimmyt.org/en/about-us/job-opportunities/1209-201129-high-throughput-genotypingsequencing-specialist-