Reports to: Genebank Manager – Senior Scientist

Location: Terbol, Lebanon

Main purpose of the position

To curate the ICARDA Genebank forage collection and manage the ICARDA herbarium.

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

A.     Forage Curation

• Assist in managing the forages collection maintained in the Terbol Genebank.
• Define the scope of collection, and undertake gap analyses, rationalization and collection prioritization.
• Supervise operations of forages genetic resources conserved in Lebanon (regeneration and multiplication, characterization, conservation, monitoring, distribution).
• Identity, verify and curate forage accessions.
• Contribute to the organization and implementation of collecting missions.
• Ensure accurate, complete and timely input of data into the genebank database.
• Assist in data analysis, report writing and in publishing the results in journals.
• Supervise technical staff.
• Contribute to pre-breeding activities.
• Assist in training and supervising students and researchers on forage taxonomy, identification and conservation.
• Contribute to capacity building activities and training.
• Perform any other job assigned by the supervisors.

B.     Herbarium management:

• Manage and curate the ICARDA herbarium with respect toroutine collection management, including but not restricted to maintaining specimens pest-free and intact.
• Manage incoming and outgoing loans.
• Maintain and acquire supplies and equipment related to herbarium.
• Supplement characterization data with herbarium measurements and characteristics.
• Barcode herbarium specimens and lead the digitization of herbarium collection.
• Prepare herbarium to be available online at the international level.
• Assist in fundraising and project writing.
• Assist in report writing and preparation of scientific publications.
• Assist in the production of guidelines, on-line modules, tools, etc.
• Assist in the production of a DNA library for the collection.
• Assist in training and supervising students and researchers on herbarium techniques and management.
• Assist in public tours of the facilities, showcasing the herbarium.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

• PhD, or master’s degree in biology, life sciences or related field.
• PhD plus 5 years post doc progressively responsible experience, or MSc., plus 7 years of relevant experience.
• Teaching experience is highly desired.
• Publication record.
• Attention to detail and self-motivation are essential. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively. Candidate will be required to work independently of supervision and take on supervisory and organizational responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research (design, implement and analyze experiments).
• Computer skills and excellent command of MS Office applications, knowledge of statistical package for data analysis.
• Fluency in English and Arabic.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is a full-time nationally recruited staff position for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position, availability of fund and satisfactory performance. The first year will be a probationary period.

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.