International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
POST: Junior Professional Officer
Specialist (Genetic Resources)
CLOSING
DATE: 30 April 2012
GENERAL
INFORMATION
TITLE:
Specialist (Genetic Resources)
SECTOR
OF ASSIGNMENT: Genetic Resources
COUNTRY:
India
LOCATION
(CITY): Hyderabad
AGENCY:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
DURATION
OF ASSIGNMENT: Initially one year with the possibility to extend up to 3
years
GRADE:
P1 step 1 or P2 step 1 in the first year, depending on the level of education
and relevant working experience
NOTE : this post is opened in the
context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the
Government of the Netherlands and is addressed exclusively to people with the
Dutch nationality. For criteria see the
website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
II
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND OUTPUT EXPECTATIONS
GENERAL
This position will contribute directly to
identifying potential gaps in genetic resource collections and in strategic
planning for their assembly/collection before they are extinct.
RESPONSIBILITY
1 (40% TIME)
SUMMARY OF DUTIES
AND EXPECTED OUTPUT
•Field experimentation and crop
management (Enhance knowledge of wild
genetic resources of sorghum and pearl millet) (30%)
•Recording field and laboratory
observations on pre- and post-harvest traits (Phenotypic characterization and
agronomic evaluation of wild genetic resources of sorghum and pearl millet
following standard descriptors) (30%)
•Wild species evaluation and
database development (Developing taxonomic key for identification at species
level) (20%)
•Cytological work to support
species identification and taxonomic relations in sorghum and pearl millet wild
species (Improving knowledge on classification of wild species at species
level) (20%)
2. RESPONSIBILITY 2 (30% TIME)
SUMMARY OF DUTIES
AND EXPECTED OUTPUT
•Evaluation of wild relatives of
sorghum and pearl millet for major insect pests and diseases in a
multi-disciplinary screening environment (20%)
•Characterization of wild
relatives of finger millet and foxtail millet following standard descriptors
(20%)
•Evaluation of wild relatives of
sorghum and pearl millet for tolerance
against drought and salinity (20%)
•Cytological work to support
species identification and taxonomic relations in finger millet and foxtail
millet wild species (20%)
•Developing taxonomic key for
identification at species level in finger millet and foxtail millet wild
relatives (10%)
•Cross compatibility studies
between wild species and the respective crops (10%)
3. RESPONSIBILITY 3 (30% TIME)
SUMMARY OF DUTIES
AND EXPECTED OUTPUT
•Evaluation of wild relatives of
finger millet for tolerance to drought and salinity (20%)
•Identifying gaps in collections
by comparing global databases with ICRISAT data (20%)
•Database development and
analysis of data sets (20%)
•Future plans for research on
assembly/collection, evaluation and utilization of wild relatives of these
crops (20%)
•Studying fertility behavior of
cultivated x wild progenies (10%)
•Summarizing the results and
report writing (10%)
III
LEARNING ELEMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
The JPO learning programme includes the
following elements
•Field experimentation and crop
management (1 year)
•Recording field and laboratory
observations on pre- and post-harvest traits (1 Year)
•Wild species evaluation and
database development (2 year)
•Data analysis and reporting the
results (2 Year)
•Research planning and
integration of research results from available databases (2-3 years)
Upon completion of the assignment the JPO will
have/ will be able to
•Knowledge in identifying gaps
and priorities areas for the collection/assembly of wild relatives and the
determination of appropriate field locations for collection.
•Practical knowledge on the
potential of crop wild relatives and their use in crop improvement activities.
•Expertise in identification of
gene pool affinities and use in breeding programs.
•Experience in field
experimentation, data collection and taxonomical classification.
•Work in a multidisciplinary,
multicultural research team including NARS scientists.
IV
SUPERVISION
TITLE
OF SUPERVISOR:
Assistant Research Program
Director-Grain Legumes and Principal Scientist and Head Gene Bank
Content and
methodology of supervision
Immediate supervisor and the
Research Program Director will supervise the Specialist. Evaluation will take place each year. The candidate will be asked to fill a
standard performance evaluation form of ICRISAT. The supervisor will discuss
with the candidate about the activities, achievements and constraints in
carrying out the agreed activities. The specialist will participate in all
planning meetings of the research team, seminars, scientific workshops and
symposia. He/she will be requested to prepare and give seminars on topics of
his/her own work as well as integrating other researcher’s results/information
on technology. In addition, the incumbent will participate in stakeholders
meetings, integrating issues related to technology transfer into the research
strategy.
V
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION:
Master degree in Agriculture or equivalent
WORKING
EXPERIENCE: Preferably 2 to maximal
4 years relevant working experience, including internships and voluntary work.
LANGUAGES:
Fluency in English is essential
and knowledge of French, Hindi or any other Indian languages will be an
advantage.
KEY
COMPETENCIES
•Good knowledge of plant taxonomy
•Experience in field
experimentation and data collection
•Data management and ability to
analyse research results
•Independent and original
thinking
•Scientific articles and reports
writing
VI
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AGENCY/DEPARTMENT/SECTION
The International Crops Research Institute for
the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a non-profit, non-political organization
that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan
Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. It belongs to the
Consortium of Centers supported by the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICRISAT
is headquartered in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, with two regional hubs
one each for East and Central Africa at Nairobi, Kenya and West and Central
Africa at Bamako, Mali and four country offices at Niger, Nigeria, Malawi and
Zimbabwe in Sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT staff collaborates closely with NARES,
sister IARCs, ARIs, NGOs and private sector organizations. Please visit our website: WWW.ICRISAT.ORG
The ICRISAT genebank conserves
119,739 germplasm accessions of its five mandate crops and six small millets.
This includes accessions of related wild species of sorghum (458), pearl millet
(750), finger millet (105) and foxtail millet (54). Majority of these
accessions needs systematic characterization/evaluation for enhanced use in
crop improvement.
VII INFORMATION
ON LIVING CONDITIONS AT DUTY STATION
Living conditions in Hyderabad, India are
good. Housing is comfortable and secure and there is plenty of opportunity for
shopping, recreation, sport and dining out.
There are good international air travel connections. Medical, dental and primary education
facilities are available locally.
VIII
HOW TO APPLY
Applications including curriculum vitae
(giving contact address with email Id, date of birth, nationality, marital
status – if married with spouse and children details), list of publications,
and names and addresses of three referees should be sent to Human Resources,
ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India, by email to: icrisatjobs@cgiar.org before 30 April 2012.
Applicants will receive
acknowledgement of receipt of their submission. Only shortlisted candidates
will be contacted.
