Postdoctoral Fellow post at IRRI, Philippines

INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

POST: Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF-2012-01-GS)

REFERENCE NUMBER: PDF-2012-01-GS

APPLY BY: 02 March 2012

To coordinate the evaluation of new high-yielding, salt-tolerant, and submergence-tolerant rice varieties with various stakeholders through participatory varietal election (PVS) in a project for three townships in the lower regions of the Ayeyarwady Delta; to liaise with IRRI and NARES in Myanmar for germplasm exchange and evaluation and training. The position will be located in Myanmar. The research will contribute to Program 2 and Program 3 of the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP).

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

In coordination with the abiotic stress tolerance breeder, agronomists, and various stakeholders, the candidate will lead the evaluation of new high-yielding, salt- and submergence-tolerant germplasm received from IRRI and/or generated locally, through a PVS network, in the lower Ayeyarwady Delta; oversee seed production of selected varieties; generate data for varietal release; and help in training activities. Specific activities include:

• Conduct of PVS trials using new high-yielding and salt- and submergence-tolerant rice varieties in three districts of the lower regions of the Ayeyarwady Delta (Labutta, Bogale, and Mawlamyinegyun), and carry out initial evaluation jointly with DAR scientists at Yezen

• Organizing various stakeholders, including farmers, NGO extension workers, rice millers, and local government staff to participate in evaluating the salt- and submergence-tolerant varieties and documenting agronomic and selection evaluation data

• Conduct of large-scale farmers’ managed trials of farmers’ preferred varieties, compiling information needed for varietal release with local partners, and initiating seed production for distribution to target areas in coordination with MAS and DAR

• Support and contribution to training and the development of the capacity of local staff

• Assisting in the development of annual workplans with collaborators, organizing project meetings/workshops, and reporting progress report

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in plant breeding, agronomy, genetics, or relevant fields

• Experience in participatory varietal selection (PVS), breeder/foundation seed production, coordinating multipartner and multidisciplinary activities; strong team capability to work closely with others involved in project management and activities, including local staff

• English: written and spoken

Screening will start on 02 March 2012 and will continue until a suitable candidate has been found.

Please indicate the position in the e-mail subject line. IRRI regrets that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

IRRI provides a multicultural work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity, with a competitive compensation and benefit package. Women are encouraged to apply.

Join us to deliver rice science for a better world

Interested candidates should apply online. Should you encounter problems applying online please email at IRRIrecruitment@irri.org

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER

http://irri.org/index.php?option=com_jobboard&view=job&id=433&catid=&lyt=table