The organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

The Alliance works with local, national, and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

About the position

Within the CGIAR consortium, CIAT’s Bean Program is responsible for leading research on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), to enhance productivity, resilience, sustainability, utilization, and nutritional impact of beans throughout the tropics. Beans provide a highly nutritious food, containing protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and micronutrients; about 400 million people in the tropics eat beans as part of their daily diet. Beans also provide income for millions of people, particularly in Africa and Latin America.

Farmers struggle to satisfy consumer demand, producing around 12 million tons of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) every year worldwide. With our partners, CIAT develops improved beans that show resilience under harsh growing conditions that are worsening as a result of climate change impacts. CIAT preserves the world’s largest and most diverse collection of beans which contributes to work on genetic improvement. CIAT maintains collaboration with national research institutions in Latin America and Africa and facilitates the Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), a network of more than 650 partners across 31 countries. With the aim of successfully tackling these challenges, and to ensure optimal exploitation of genomic technologies for CIAT’s research on common beans, the Center is looking for a strategic, highly motivated, Molecular Biologist – Bean Program. This role entails spearheading the development of advanced molecular tools to improve the genetic enhancement of common beans. This includes the creation of molecular markers and the introduction of innovative genomic methods.

Responsibilities:

• Establish a SNP fingerprinting platform for diversity analysis, quality control, and molecular breeding purposes.
• Develop and implement innovative strategies in molecular biology to advance cutting-edge research projects.
• Lead and coordinate a highly qualified team in the design and execution of complex molecular experiments.
• Provide technical expertise and strategic vision to drive significant scientific discoveries.
• Supervise the adoption of the latest technologies and methodologies in molecular biology, guaranteeing technical excellence.
• Collaborate with other team leaders to efficiently integrate molecular contributions into multidisciplinary projects.
• Develop and maintain strategic collaborations with experts in molecular biology at the national and international level.
• Actively participate in the training and mentoring of junior researchers, fostering a learning environment.

Laboratory functions:

• Conduct library preparations for sequencing
• Execute sequencing procedures for pivotal genotypes
• Implement SNP technology effectively

Data analysis:

• Demonstrate foundational programming skills
• Conduct bioinformatics analysis using state-of-the-art tools for GBS, RNA, and DNA sequences
• Undertake studies on genetic introgression
• Measure gene expression levels

Application to breeding:

• Integrate molecular markers into molecular breeding practices
• Utilize next-generation sequencing data and bioinformatics to formulate molecular markers
• Establish a SNP fingerprinting platform for diversity analysis, quality control, and molecular breeding purposes.

Requirements

Key requirements and experience:

• PhD in molecular biology, crop science or related fields; candidates with a Master’s and relevant employment experience may also be considered.
• Demonstrated ability in modern molecular biology techniques.
• Ability to lead a small research team including laboratory assistants and statistical analysts.
• Experience managing a molecular biology lab.
• Willingness to work as a team member with colleagues in the pursuit of Bean Program objectives.
• A demonstrated ability to elaborate high quality publications meeting international standards.
• Full English language communication skills, both written and oral.
• Spanish language skills would be considered a plus.
• International experience would be welcome.

Terms of employment

This is an internationally recruited position and will be based in Palmira, Colombia, reporting directly to the Lead Bean Breeder. The initial contract will be for up to two (2) years, subject to a probation period of six (6) months and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.

This position is graded at BG09 level on a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the Alliance job classification framework policy). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to insurance, retirement plan, staff training and development, paid time off and flexible working arrangements.

The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number 103431:  Molecular Biologist – Bean Program as the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name and first name for ease of sorting.

Applications closing date: 12^th March 2024

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org