RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

From Mwananchi,10th June 2015

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a member of a world-wide network of International Agricultural Research Centers. IITA's research focuses on smallholder cropping systems in sub-Saharan Africa. IITA has a regional hub in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania which co-ordinates the work of the institute in East Africa.
To support this work, IITA is looking for a Research Associate. This position is required to support the IITA banana project that will be based at the IITA Office at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NMAIST) in Kijenge, Arusha including frequent travels.

Responsibilities
The Research Associate will perform the following duties, among others:
Manage support staff in all plant pathology activities related to banana in Tanzania and Uganda
Careful management and maintenance of laboratory equipment, materials, reagents with
adherence to standard practices and protocols .
Lead the design and implementation of field, screen-house and laboratory experiments
Contribute to the optimization of existing methods and rapidly adapt/develop new methods /
protocols for screening germplasm
Lead field surveys to determine the incidence, severity, impact and identity of banana pathogens,
especially sigatoka in the great lakes region
Conduct field, screen-house and lab based diagnostics and characterization (including in vitro methods) of banana pathogens, especially fungi to identify and report the causal agent(s) of disease
Design experiments and assessments to determine the epidemiology of especially fungal diseases in order to identify control interventions that limit their introduction, establishment and spread.
Carefully collect, organize and analyze data from field, screen-house, lab experiments and field surveys, record, interpret and present experimental results
Develop succinct and informative reports detailing design and treatment effects from experiments 'and surveys as shown by logical and statistically sound interpretation of the data
Develop and revise scientific papers from existing drafts and from new studies for submission to peer reviewed and Thomson indexed journals
Report directly to the supervisor and respond to requests and solve challenges as demanded in a timely, transparent, positive and professional manner
Collaborate and work in teams with scientific and support staff of IITA an.£!. its partners
Act in an independent and responsible manner to represent IITA both within and outside working hours
Actively seek and share ideas and opportunities for collaboration with staff representing other
institutions that have mandates to improve the efficiency of the agricultural sector
Interact with national and international partners towards developing and implementing disease
management strategies on behalf of IITA
Displays a positive attitude that supports overall scientific progress of the team focusing on team success, and actively participating in meetings
Any other duties as may be assigned

Required Qualifications I Experience
A Master's degree in Plant Pathology or related field with at least 2 years' experience
Demonstrated experience in field or horticultural crop research, in a laboratory or field
Demonstrated experience working and managing a laboratory
Experience working on banana, especially for evaluating for biotic stress resistance, will be an advantage
Practical experience in working with field experimental design and layout
Practical experience collecting and storing diseased samples, microbiological techniques, fungal
isolation, identification and characterization.
Experience with molecular biology techniques and application to identify .and characterize plant
pathogens
Experience in the use of appropriate software for data management
Skills and competences
Computer literacy
Experience in use of various software for data analysis, including MS-Excel, SAS, etc
Good oral and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili
Good organizational skills
Ability to work with minimal supervision
Willingness to travel outside duty station

General information: .
The initial contract for the position is for two years: renewable subject to performance and availability of
funds. The duty station for the position will be IITA in Arusha at the Nelson Mandela African Institution
of Science & Technology (NMAIST) in Kijenge. This is a nationally recruited position and IITA offers a competitive remuneration package.
 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applications including curriculum vitae, copies of certificates, telephone number, email
address, and names and addresses of two referees should be sent to the Country Representative,
IITA-Tanzania, Plot No. 25, Mwenge - Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni Industrial Area P.O. Box 34441,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 

Applicants are requested to please indicate the reference number for the position as indicated on the heading of the announcement in your application as well as on the subject of your email if sending by email. If sending by post or hand delivery, please indicate the reference number on your application as well as on the left hand side of your envelope. Please note that any applications without the
reference indicated will be automatically disqualified.

Please note
that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted .