About the Project

As agricultural systems face more and more constraints due to climate change, identifying and developing new crop cultivars able to make production more resilient is a priority. In this context, root systems play a major role as an essential component of the tolerance against abiotic stress (water deficit or excess, nutrition deficiency) and for their contribution to carbon storage in soils.

Addressing root traits for breeders, geneticists and agronomists is a real challenge that needs efficient tools: root phenotyping tools both in field and controlled conditions, genetic tools with a set of relevant markers and genetic resources and modelling tools to extrapolate the results in other environments and agricultural contexts.

The Root2Res project aims to design new tools for evaluating root traits, understanding the genetic control of root and rhizosphere function, and studying interactions between plant roots and microbiota to develop more sustainable and drought-adaptive crop varieties.

The successful candidate of this fully funded PhD position will work under the Root2Res Project (Root phenotyping and genetic improvement for rotational crops resilient to environmental change).

Main Purpose of this fellowship

The incumbent will generate and use extensive above and below ground phenotypic data obtained through traditional approaches in field trials and in experiments using ICARDA Physiotron (A state-of-the-art lysimeter) and link it to data generated from multi-sensor remote-sensing approaches using a phenomobile equipped with multi-spectral, RGB cameras and a LiDAR; and a multi-sensor bridge linked to the lysimeter to develop predictive models for traits of interest. The aim to participate in the development of proxies for root traits that avoid the use of time-consuming destructive methods.

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.

ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org

All CGIAR Centers are currently engaged into a reform process (“One CGIAR’”) that will help ICARDA and CGIAR achieve better impact through more strategically integrated research, unified governance, an integrated structure and new research modalities across participating Research Centers. This transformation is supported by CGIAR donors who have committed to increased funding as a result of these reforms.

Main responsibilities

• Organize and carry data collection with Phenomobile of the Root2Res trials in Morocco.
• Organize and carry phenotypic data collection in the field and in the Physiotron experiment.
• Implement trait prediction models based on phenotypic data collection and remote sensing data collected by Phenomobile and Physiotron multi-sensor bridge.
• Assist in any other activities of Root2Res project.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

• BSc or MSc (preferred) in Statistics, Agronomy, Plant Physiology or Breeding
• Strong statistics background for plant science
• Basic knowledge of most used sensors in high throughput phenotyping approached
• Experience capability to work autonomically in R data analysis
• Agronomic knowledge would be highly valued.
• Knowledge of small cereals physiology is desired (barley preferred but also wheat, rice, maize, and others are to be considered)
• Proficiency in the English language both spoken and written is necessary.
• Knowledge of French and/or Arabic language is an advantage.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

The successful candidate will be granted a 12-months research fellowship, renewable to a maximum of 48 months subject to satisfactory performance, continuous need of the position and availability of fund. The first 6 months will be a probationary period. ICARDA will provide an all-inclusive monthly stipend.

For this fellowship Moroccan nationals and candidates who have a current residency in Morocco are welcomed to apply.

ICARDA is committed to increasing women representation in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from women.

Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.