Uganda: Plant Breeder Associate

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a Plant Breeder Associate to support CIP’s sweetpotato work in East and Central Africa (ECA).

The Center:** CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research organization with a global mandate to conduct research on genetic resources of potatoes, sweetpotatoes, and other Andean roots and tubers, crop genetic enhancement and improvement, integrated crop management and sustainable management of natural resources. CIP’s vision is to contribute from its areas of expertise to the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular those goals that relate to poverty, hunger, child and maternal mortality, and sustainable development. CIP has its headquarters in Lima, Peru with staff and activities in locations across Africa, Asia and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Alliance of the CGIAR Centers, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 60 donor members.

The Position: The Plant Breeder Associate with regional responsibilities will be based at the Kampala, Uganda CIP Office with Namulonge as the main field station. The principal tasks and responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following:

• Assist in the coordination and implementation of the sweetpotato population breeding sweetpotato genomics activities for East and Central Africa (ECA)
• Conduct nutritional quality sweetpotato breeding analysis
• Facilitate sweetpotato germplasm exchange in ECA
• Organize different stakeholder meetings
• Organize and facilitate trainings for NARS partners on sweetpotato breeding
• Work under the supervision of the breeder/project leader, in collaboration with national programs and other partners in ECA to conduct on-station and on-farm sweetpotato trials, collect, analyze and interpret research trial data, and write reports and related documents

Selection Criteria:

The successful candidate will have:

• PhD Degree in Plant Breeding or Genetics or Molecular breeding with at least two years’ experience in field research;
• Expertise in experimental design related to breeding trials, genomics, data collection, analysis, interpretation and report writing

• Aptitude for team work, excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Knowledge of French preferred.

• Familiarity with producing vegetatively propagated crops; knowledge of sweetpotato will be an advantage.

• Willing to travel extensively within the region

Conditions: The employment contract will be for one year with the possibility of renewal. Breeders interested in doing a one year sabbatical at CIP are encouraged to apply. Salary will be internationally competitive, commensurate with experience. CIP provides additional benefits, including employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

Applicants should apply online through our CIP’s Job Opportunities website (http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/), including a cover letter, a full C.V with the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Screening of applications will begin on 30 September, 2016 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short listed candidates will be contacted.