Barley Breeder vacancy at ICARDA

ICARDA

POST: Barley Breeder  

POSITION SPECIFICATION: Internationally Recruited Position (P Level)

LOCATION: Aleppo, Syria

CLOSING DATE: 30 September 2011

Main purpose of the position

ICARDA’s global barley breeding program targets three main production systems: high potential areas, low potential areas and winter barley. This plant breeder will be responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive barley breeding and germplasm development program targeting low input and low potential environments in the developing world. The position will be located at ICARDA headquarters and will require the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team setting. He/she will have to carry out activities for barley germplasm development, germplasm enhancement and make it available upon request to barley scientists worldwide, foremost to developing countries. Extensive travel will be required.

ABOUT ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is an international autonomous, non-profit, research center based in Aleppo, Syria, supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR - www.cgiar.org). We are committed to the improvement of livelihoods of the resource-poor in dry areas by enhancing food security and alleviating poverty through agricultural research, and the equitable use and conservation of natural resources. For more details please look at www.icarda.org.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Breed improved barley germplasm and potential cultivars with adaptation to developing -country barley production systems, with high and stable yields, tolerance to relevant abiotic and biotic stresses and market-acceptable relatively superior quality, which have the potential to be adopted on a wide scale by resource-poor farmers.

·         Develop, implement and apply state-of-the-art breeding/selection approaches, including introgression of novel genes from landraces and wild barley relatives into adapted germplasm, doubled haploid use, marker-assisted selection and genomic approaches.

·         Keep up-to-date on developments in barley breeding through the scientific literature.

·         Contribute in building an integrated barley improvement program team.

·         Develop and implement collaborative research with developing country national program scientists, including through networks.

·         Produce technical reports and training material for capacity-building courses.

·          Develop and participate in training programs for developing country partners.

·          Carry out undergoing research to increase breeding efficiency and effectiveness.

·          Establish/maintain/expand collaboration with global Centers of Excellence to review, validate and implement new techniques for plant breeding.

·         Publish research findings in ISI peer-reviewed scientific journals.

·         Develop research proposals for potential donors and prepare submissions for external, international funding.

·         Represent ICARDA in regional and international fora.

·         Prepare other records and reports, as requested.

·          Perform any other duties as required by the Barley Program Coordinator or BIGM program director.

·         Education, qualifications and experience

·          PhD in plant breeding, plant genetics or related scientific field.

·         At least 5 years of experience in plant breeding, preferably in barley.

·          Experienced in utilizing biotechnological tools, particularly in the application of marker assisted selection.

·          Proven record of wide-scale adoption by farmers of germplasm bred.

·         Proven plant research record of international stature.

·         Proven managerial, team-building and supervisory skills.

·         Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct and interpret research results through publications in ISI peer-reviewed scientific journals.

·          Knowledge of barley improvement research worldwide.

·         Proven record of providing training to young scientists in state-of-the-art barley breeding.

·          Excellent English communication skills.

·         Working knowledge of popular computer programs and in depth knowledge of statistical packages to analyse data from the breeding program

·          International experience in agricultural research-for-development.

·         Work experience in developing countries is desirable.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT, SALARY AND BENEFITS

·         This is an Internationally Recruited Position (IRS)

·         The initial contract will be for 3 years, renewable based on performance. For more details: Terms of Appointment-P Level

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HOW TO APPLY

·         Please apply online at www.icarda.org/iea/.

·         We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from women.

·         Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://www.icarda.org/iea/