Geneticist

Specific Duties:

• Work with other genetics specialists to design and evaluate new and current breeding schemes through simulation, retrospective analysis, and pilot testing.
• Develop strategy in collaboration with breeding teams and other stakeholders and support the development of plans to optimize the use of new breeding tools and methodologies.
• Support breeding teams to ensure that target product profiles drive breeding activities and that breeding efforts are aligned to these breeding targets.
• Support the breeding teams to set up disciplined processes to select parental germplasm in a targeted manner, as well as identify and implement ways to overcome resource, logistical, and biological constraints to shorten the breeding cycle time and increase the accuracy of data prior to selection of parents.
• Contribute to the development of a training strategy and content to mentor and consult with breeding teams.
• Lead and contribute to both virtual and hands-on training and mentorship activities targeted at CGIAR-NARES breeding teams in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Providing support to internal and external reviews and evaluations.
• Contributing to publications derived from the breeding optimization project.
• Coordinate the molecular breeding work, particularly to enhance the adaptation to the temperate environments via genetics, genomics, and molecular biology approaches.
• Contribute to generating data on de novo genome assemblies, transcriptomes, and annotations.
• Analyze the genomic differentiation between tropical and temperate seed for key traits of interest using genome resequencing data.
• Genetic mapping of important traits associated with photoperiod sensitivity, and resistance/tolerance to major biotic and abiotic stresses in seeds.
• Cloning and validation of functional genes targeting the improvement of the seed yield and stress tolerance.
• Contribute to joint research proposals and seek opportunities for new collaborations and funding sources.
• Manuscript writing and publication of research data in high-impact journals.

Requirements

• PhD in plant breeding, quantitative genetics, biometrics, molecular genetics or plant biotechnology, or other highly related fields in genetics and breeding.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in private industry and/or an advanced modern breeding program is a plus.
• In-depth understanding of practical breeding applications and logistical constraints that will be relevant to breeding programs targeting the developing world (i.e., CGIAR centers, national systems, and private sector organizations).
• Expertise in statistical analysis software (R, mixed modeling, perhaps machine learning, etc.) and a creative and innovative mindset.
• A good understanding of quantitative genetics and underlying mathematical theory.
• Experience in plant gene discovery, cloning, and functional analysis.
• Expertise in using statistical analysis software (R, Python, perhaps machine learning, etc.).
• A good understanding of quantitative genetics and bioinformatics.
• Track record of high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Good reporting and communication skills in English (working language).
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Problem-Solving, Client Orientation, Good Communication, Multicultural Awareness and Collaboration.