Vacancies: Research Associate-Maize Breeding, Research Associate
Background:
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the positions below. These positions are funded by African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops in Africa (SARD-SC)
IITA is an international non-profit research for development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub- Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to eliminate hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa.
Position: Research Associate-Maize Breeding (2 positions)
2 year renewable contract
The Research Associate will work as a member of the SARD-SC Project team in Nigeria and provide technical support to the team for effective development and deployment of improved maize genotypes
Primary Duties:
- Assists in execution of maize trials
- Assist with the seed production and maintenance of maize
- Supervision of on-station and on-farm trials
- Works with other project staff in capacity building of public and private sector partners to develop and disseminate maize genotypes
- Provide supports to national program staff and national partners for field trial management and data management and analysis.
- Collation and analyses of data from experiments
- Contributes to publications and presentation of research outputs
- Any other responsibility as may be assigned by the supervisor
Qualification and Experience
- M.Sc in Plant Breeding, Crop physiology, Agronomy or related field.
- At least 2 years of relevant experience in national/international organizations
- Good knowledge of Microsoft office and econometric software such as STATA and SPSS
- Strong ability to co-ordinate, prioritise and organise workload
- Ability to take initiative and work under pressure and willingness to work for longer hours where necessary
- Good team spirit and also participate as a team member in accomplishment of duties
- Able to work effectively both in teams and independently
Position: Research Associate (Socio-Economic)
2 year renewable contract
The Research Associate will work as a member of the maize SARD-SC Project team in Nigeria and provide technical support to the team for conduct of socio-economic studies including baseline and impact studies related to maize value-chain. Other duties:
- Assist scientists in designing of survey instrument
- Carry out socio-economic surveys nationally and across borders where necessary.
- Supervise other support staff in socio-economic unit
- Entering of data and supervision of data entry of by other support staff members.
- Write report as necessary as and when demanded
- Clean and edit data collected from surveys
- Conduct other assignment as assigned by supervisors
Qualification and Experience
- M.Sc in Agricultural Economics or related field
- At least 2years of relevant experience in national/international organizations
- Excellent English reporting, writing and oral communication skills.
- Good knowledge of Microsoft office and econometric software such as STATA and SPSS
- Strong ability to co-ordinate, promise and organise workload.
- Ability to take initiative and work under pressure and willingness to work for longer hours where necessary
- Good team spirit and also participate as a team member in accomplishment of duties
- Able to work effectively both in teams and independently
General Information: Initial appointment is for two years. Subsequent renewal of the contract will be decided based on research outputs and productively, and continued need for the position.
Remuneration:
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive fringe benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.
Method of Application:
Interested applicants should forward their applications with detailed curriculum vitae, the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include either the Head of applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior officer at work and evidence of current remuneration package to IITA website: http://www.iita.org/careers
Closing Date: 30th May 2013.
IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from female candidates Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted
Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.
