INTERNATIONAL
CROP RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR SEMI ARID TROPICS
POST: Junior
Professional Officer Specialist (Genetic Resources)
I. 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 candidates from developing
countries . 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%)
•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%)
•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 30th June 2012.
Applicants will receive
acknowledgement of receipt of their submission. Only shortlisted candidates
will be contacted.
