Research Supervisor (Breeding) at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research Supervisor (Breeding)

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-021
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (2-year renewable contract)

Duties
Establishment of field trials:

• Design trials using under supervision of breeder using state-of-the art experimental approaches including row-column and alpha-lattice designs.
• Manage day-to-day operations of on-station, off-station, and on-farm cassava breeding field trials.

Phenotyping and data management:

• Prepare plot barcodes and electronic resources for data capture including hardware and software
• Collect pre-harvest data, including early plant vigor, pest and disease resistance and morphological characterization.
• Conduct harvesting of field trials and capture yield and yield-related traits data
• Prepare and upload data on Breeding Database (cassavabase)
• Responsible for updating and maintaining trials and pedigree records.

Implementation of high-throughput phenotyping:

• Carry out image-based phenotyping (leaf and root traits related to morphology and pest and diseases)
• Conduct phenotyping of quality traits using portable Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) equipment

Qualification

• B.Sc / HND in Agriculture, Agronomy, Biology, or related fields with two (2) years’ experience in field breeding environment.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Have good field data collection skills, excellent record keeping, experience in high through-put phenotyping, trial design and data analysis skills
• Be organized, strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills
• Consistently follow field and lab protocols and other directions and with minimal errors
• Be dependable, takes initiative and responsibility for own actions
• Be flexible, adaptable, able to respond to changes in routine
• Be strong listening, verbal, and documentation skills.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Closing Date
10th August, 2020.