The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is looking for an innovative, results-oriented scientist with excellent skills and knowledge in biology and ecology of storage insect pests of maize, integrated post-harvest management practices, quantitative and qualitative grain loss assessments, and effective post-harvest grain storage technologies. The selected candidate will play a key role as a member of the CIMMYT Global Maize Program (CIMMYT-GMP) team, especially to support the initiative on effective grain storage technologies for sustainable livelihoods of African farmers. As the Nairobi-based member of CIMMYT-GMP (with frequent travels in eastern and southern Africa), the selected scientist will also work closely with CIMMYT’s research teams in the region, as well as public and private partners, advanced research institutes, and national research programs to expand the network of partnerships.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Assess local post-harvest storage practices, identify gaps, and design appropriate post-harvest management options.
- Assist in identifying and testing promising and affordable post‐harvest technologies, including hermetic storage technologies to mitigate post-harvest losses.
- Assessment and mapping of the magnitude and impact of post‐harvest grain losses in maize.
- Design on-station and on-farm entomology trials, collect and analyze data, and report the result
- In partnership with various private and public institutions, undertake strategic research and support the dissemination of effective post-harvest management technologies.
- Technical backstopping and capacity strengthening of the national and regional partners in post-harvest management practices.
- Offer training to farmers, extension personnel, NGOs, national agricultural research systems and other partners.
- Developing grant proposals to secure funding for conducting specific research programs.
- Contribute to collaborative efforts of Global Maize Program, research and capacity building activities in the framework of CIMMYT’s overall project agenda.
- Contribute to the visibility of CIMMYT’s research, partnerships and impacts.
We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Agricultural Entomology or closely related field with strong background in integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
- Experience of working on pre- and post-harvest insect pests of maize, with contributions in developing and testing appropriate technologies in controlling post-harvest insect pests.
- Experience in working with stakeholders of diverse backgrounds in post-harvest technology demonstration and transfer is preferable.
- Applied knowledge of designing field based entomological trials, data collection and analysis.
- Excellent computer skills and experience with SAS, SPSS or other statistical software.
- Demonstrated ability to publish in refereed, high-impact scientific journals.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Interest in international agricultural research and development.
- Ability to work well as part of multidisciplinary, multicultural teams and good communications skills.
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org), is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. The center works to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems and thus ensure global food security and reduce poverty. The center's outputs and services include improved maize and wheat varieties and cropping systems, the conservation of maize and wheat genetic resources, and capacity building. CIMMYT belongs to and is funded by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) and also receives support from national governments, foundations, development banks, and other public and private agencies.
CIMMYT has had enormous impact in the developing world. It is the center of excellence for work on two of the three most important food crops in the developing world. Its most famous employee, Dr. Norman Borlaug, is credited by many with saving more lives than any other individual in the history of the world. Borlaug’s work dramatically increased yields of wheat in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the 1960s and 1970s, staving off starvation for hundreds of millions. For this work, Borlaug received the Nobel Prize in 1970. Scores of other CIMMYT efforts have saved or enriched millions of lives, from releasing disease-resistant varieties and varieties resistant to drought and heat and soil deficiencies, to dispersing techniques to reduce farmer costs and post-harvest losses. In developing countries, wheat varieties developed by CIMMYT and its partners cover 75% of the area planted to modern wheat varieties.
The position will be based in Nairobi (Kenya) but will involve frequent travel to other field sites in eastern and southern Africa. The position is initially available for three years and may lead to a career path position. CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (to Grade 12), home leave, and relocation shipping assistance.
CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
Apply online no later than April 30th, 2012.
At www.cimmyt.org, click on “About us – Job Opportunities- Position” -2011-13 Please complete the online application, including your cover letter, competencies and experience for the position, and a detailed CV/resume.
For further information, contact Dr. B.M. Prasanna, Director, Global Maize Program b.m.prasanna@cgiar.org or the Human Resources Office, jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org"> jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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