Postdoctoral Scientist - Feed and Forage Biosciences Programme, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a postdoctoral scientist to be part of a team working with forage genetic resources conservation and use, cover activities related to germplasm health and post-entry quarantine of forage germplasm.

ILRI works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and Southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. www.ilri.org.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and research extent of major seed borne virus diseases in the collection in ILRI;
• Develop and modify diagnostic tests for virus and phytoplasma in forages including use of molecular tools;
• Establish field and greenhouse procedures for elimination of virus and phytoplasma diseases from the collection;
• Manage quality control for seed health testing and post-entry screening in the project;
• Train technicians and technical assistants in virus diagnostics and routine procedures for plant management to eliminate diseases.

Requirements:

• PhD in virology or molecular plant pathology(PhD must have been attained within the last 3 years);
• Experience in ELISA, TBIA, dot blot, NASH/LAMP and molecular diagnsotics, production of antibodies and quality control of diagnostic methods;
• Trained in Plant health diagnostics;
• Skills in Virus diagnostics
• Excellent attention to details and logical approach to scientific problem solving;
• Strong English language and writing skills;
• Ability to work independently, to be proactive, to take initiative, and to work within a team setting;
• Strong computer skills including database management information systems for storing germplasm health data, MS Excel.

Post location: The position is based at ILRI’s campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Position level:Post-doctoral Scientist (4A).

Duration: 2 years fixed term contract.

Terms of appointment: ILRI offers a competitive international remuneration and benefits package which includes:

• Medical insurance for staff and dependents,
• Life insurance,
• Education allowance for children,Housing allowance,
• Baggage Allowance, Home leave,Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days+public holidays.

*Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.

Applications:Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae: a list of publications and names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience should be included in the curriculum vitae. The position title and reference number: PD/FFBP/05/2014 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter.

All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com by 23 July 2014.

To find out more about ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.