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

We are currently seeking a highly skilled and motivated candidate to join our team as a Physiologist for the Bean Program. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing our research efforts to enhance the productivity, resilience, and nutritional value of common bean crops. The position involves designing and overseeing experiments, conducting data analysis, and interpreting findings to improve our understanding of common bean physiology. The Physiologist will collaborate with a team of researchers and breeders to integrate physiological traits into our breeding programs and contribute to the development of improved bean varieties. Additionally, the candidate will explore strategies to enhance the resilience of common beans to various stresses, especially abiotic factors. We are looking for a dynamic individual with a passion for agricultural research, a strong background in plant physiology, and a desire to make a meaningful impact on food security and nutrition. The position offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of Bean research and contribute to sustainable agriculture for the benefit of communities worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Brings extensive expertise in the specialized field, demonstrating successful project management and proficiently overseeing a diverse project portfolio in the domain of their expertise.
• Develop a comprehensive research plan outlining the research objectives, methodology, timeline, and resource requirement.
• Conceptualizes and guides the execution of scientific initiatives that propel a significant segment of the organization’s scientific agenda.
• Monitors research area implementation to ensure alignment with established benchmarks, driving progress toward program goals that consistently exemplify the utmost standards of research excellence.
• Oversee the preparation of a comprehensive research report, including findings, analysis, interpretations, and recommendations for optimizing bean crop productivity based on physiological insights.
• Design and oversee the implementation of the research plan, including experimental design, data collection, and analysis, ensuring high-quality and reliable data generation.
• Coordinate the analysis of collected data, employ appropriate statistical methods, and work closely with statisticians to draw meaningful conclusions.
• Offers strategic guidance to leadership and teams, presenting innovative approaches to advance the growth and development of the research thematic area.
• Supervise a team of researchers, technicians, mentors other research staff to build scientific capacity within the organization.
• Foster collaboration with experts in plant physiology and in related fields such as social science, genomics, and statistics, to enhance the study’s outcomes and credibility.
• Collaborate with plant breeders to integrate physiological traits into breeding programs for the development of improved common bean varieties.
• Cultivates and reinforces internal networks and collaborations with donors and institutions, actively identifying prospects to sustain and enhance the significance of the thematic area.
• Publish research findings in scientific journals and communicate results through presentations, conferences, and workshops.
• Identify funding opportunities and actively pursue grants to support research projects and initiatives.

Requirements

Qualifications and requirements

• Advanced degree (Ph.D.) in Plant Physiology, Agricultural Science, or a related field.
• Proven experience in leading and managing research projects, particularly in the field of plant physiology or crop science.
• Strong background in experimental design, data analysis, and statistical methods.
• Knowledge of plant physiology and relevant research methodologies, preferably related to legumes.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities for managing a diverse team and collaborating with stakeholders.

Terms of employment

This is an internationally recruited position that will be based at the Americas Hub of the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT in Palmira, Colombia, reporting directly to the Bean Program Leader. 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 BG10 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 a reference number. Ref: 103218- Scientist Physiologist–“. 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.

Note: The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). The Alliance also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applications closing date: 5th December 2023

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