Assistant Research Associate

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not -for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: http://www.cimmyt.org We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated candidate for the position of Assistant Research Associate to be based in our Southern Africa Office in Harare, Zimbabwe. This is a nationally recruited position and is open to all Zimbabweans with excellent academic records. This position will support on-going research activities in Zimbabwe and collaborating projects in the Southern Africa region as needed. Under the supervision of Scientist, the incumbent will be responsible for assisting scientist/s on implementing operations related to pathology and molecular breeding activities in southern African maize breeding and seed systems. The position holder will coordinate for disease screening trials, undertake laboratory activities for pathogen / inoculum preparation and maintenance, sample collection from field for genotyping, assist in genotype data management, analysis, interpretation, and training visiting NARS partners and students on pathology and molecular breeding related aspects

Requirements

Required academic qualifications, skills, and attitudes:

• BSc in Plant Science, Plant Pathology Plant Breeding or Molecular Breeding. An MSc will be an added advantage.
• At least three years relevant working experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the field of work or specialized equipment
• Basic knowledge of administrative and/or operating protocols and procedures of research support function
• Ability to analyse data, situations, or problems, evaluate possible courses of action and choose.
• The ability to communicate and relate effectively with others is very important.
• Sufficient competency to use the standard Windows-based software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and email used at CIMMYT with occasional assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for sample collection and shipping logistics for all molecular breeding related activities in Southern Africa as well as genotypic data management and preliminary analysis for forward breeding, QA/QC and genomic selection.
• Planning and implementation of artificial inoculation trials for disease traits e.g., Fusarium ear rot, gray leaf spot, leaf blight and MSV including disease scoring, data collection, data entry and analysis using appropriate tools
• Maintain pathogen culture and carry out timely inoculation at key disease screening sites under artificial inoculation and ensure suitable conditions for disease development through timely planting, inoculation, misting system management, and monitoring.
• Co-ordinate with site supervisor to ensure that high standards of phytosanitary procedures are followed in all disease screening sites.
• Support maize pathologists in disease diagnosis and disease sample collection during disease surveys and epidemiological studies.
• Assist visiting scientists in training partners on disease diagnosis and management, as well as on handling basic molecular tools, sample collection, and DNA markers application in applied breeding.

Benefits

• Private Health Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Work from Home
• Training & Development