About IRRI

Job Purpose

Under the general direction of the Senior Scientist, oversee the breeding network activities in Asia and Africa to ensure workplan from development to implementation. Plan, design and implement all the experiments related to Plant Breeding and Genetics, focusing on population development, experimental planning and design, laboratory management, and phenotyping in controlled environments. Constantly communicate with internal and external project partners and collaborators to exchange conceptual ideas and to effectively gather feedback and research-related requirements for the advancement of the project.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and may only be filled by permanent citizens of the Philippines.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage project activities, and the reporting of the early duration breeding networks across Asia and Africa including the development of work plans, setting of research milestones, and implementation of procedures
• Supervise and oversee planning, designing, and implementation of all the scientific experiments related to Plant Breeding and Genetics in HQ
• Manage crossing, rapid generation advance for the three breeding pipelines on a seasonal basis and mapping population development for genetic studies as needed
• Develop and manage the phenotyping experiments in controlled environments for traits related to direct
  seeding and generate routine data for breeding populations
• Perform genotype data collection, analysis and mapping for the early duration DSR breeding pipelines.
• Conceptualize and design research proposals and reports including review of related literature, selection of adequate research tools and equipment, verification of suggested methodologies, and establishment of parameters
• Capacity development of regional breeding network partners in the area of Phenotyping and analytical approaches.
• Align with internal and external project partners and collaborators to exchange conceptual ideas and to effectively gather research-related requirements for the advancement of the project and feedback
• Represent the team in guiding the internal and external stakeholders in considering the implementation of experiments, including logistics
• Pro-actively engage national partners, cooperatives, private sector companies, and research institutes in project implementation
• Build new partnerships with other collaborators and implementation organizations
• Engage with relevant teams in CGIAR to enhance breeding program efficiency
• Outcome-oriented strategies of conducting breeding networks, greenhouse, and laboratory trials
• Provide strategic insights to the development of research outputs to the Scientist in a timely manner
• Monitor financial resources as well as budget allocation approvals to ensure sustainable operations
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and recommend new processes and/or policy improvements to ensure efficient performance
• Ensure capacity development of self and others in the team in the area of phenotyping and statistical analysis through timely and consistent performance reviews and coaching sessions.

Qualifications

• PhD in related field with 3 years relevant experience
• Mater’s degree in related field with 6 years of relevant experience

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Expert in data collection, curation and statistical analysis (using R and other
  software) for population improvement-based breeding programs
• Understanding of genotyping and genotypic data analysis for breeding programs
• Trait phenotyping related to DSR
• Experience in managing experiments in control environments such as glass
  house and phytotrons.
• Experience and interest in scientific writing and communication
• Team management and efficient planning of work
• Independently working abilities

Preferred

• Excellent in scientific presentation
• Knowledgeable in QTL mapping and GWAS

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.