The International Livestock Research Institute
(ILRI) seeks to recruit a Program Leader to establish and lead its new Feed and
Forages Biosciences program. This leadership position is part of the
Biosciences Directorate.
ILRI is a not-for-profit institution with a staff of
about 700 and in 2014, an operating budget of about USD83 million. A member of
the CGIAR Consortium (www.cgiar.org)
working for a food-secure future, ILRI has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya,
a principal campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and offices in other countries in
East, West and Southern Africa and in South, Southeast and East Asia.
ILRI works with partners worldwide to enhance the
roles that livestock play in food security and poverty alleviation, principally
in Africa and Asia. The outcomes of these research partnerships help people in
developing countries to keep their animals alive and productive, to increase
and sustain overall productivity, find profitable markets for their products,
and reduce the risk of livestock-related diseases. www.ilri.org
ILRI currently has strong animal and pathogen
molecular and genetics activities, it also has a unique forage genebank and
activities in feed utilization. The appointee will build-on and synergise with
this expertise to build a world class feeds and forage research program to
sustainably improve quality and availability of livestock feed. An important
component will be building strong relationships with national and international
partners.
Responsibilities:
- Lead
the establishment of a multidisciplinary research program directed towards
genetic improvement (productivity, disease resistance, environmental
adaptation, utilization) of feed and forage species supporting livestock
production. This will involve management of the existing forage gene bank
and use of its resources, genomics, bioinformatics, tissue culture and
plant genome modification, large-scale phenotypic evaluation, and end-user
liaison for crop adoption;
- Lead
and manage an international team of molecular biologists, plant
geneticists, and animal nutrition scientists addressing a range of
research on livestock forages, and feeds sources, in developing countries;
- Secure
a funding stream for a sustainable research group;
- Ensure
close and effective collaboration with a range of partners;
- Participate
in the leadership group for the bioscience directorate.
Requirements:
- A
PhD in plant molecular genetics or a related subject, with extensive
experience in plant molecular biology, including forages molecular
breeding, and a minimum of 10 years of experience post-PhD;
- A
passion for generation of scientific knowledge that advances pro-poor
development;
- A
strong research record demonstrating excellence in research design and
analysis in some of the following: molecular genetics and genomics,
quantitative genetics, population genetics, applied plant breeding;
- Excellent
record of high quality publication and resource mobilization;
- Experience
of forming and leading dispersed and multi-disciplinary teams;
- Familiarity
with aspects of livestock production, crop-livestock systems, and animal
nutrition;
- Strong
English language skills, both written and spoken (proficiency in other
languages is an advantage).
Post location: The
position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on ILRI main campus.
Significant travel to other countries and regions will be required.
Position level:
The position is Principal Scientist, dependent on qualifications and
experience.
Duration: 3
years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance
and continued funding.
Benefits: ILRI
offers a competitive international and salary and benefits package which
includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for:
Education, Housing, Relocation, Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30
days + public holidays.
*Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with
tax regulations of country of citizenship.
Applications: Applicants
should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae: a list of publications and
names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are
knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work
experience should be included in the curriculum vitae. The position title and
reference number: PL/AB/09/14 should be clearly indicated in
the subject line of the cover letter.
All applications should be submitted through our
recruitment portal, http://ilri.simplicant.com by 17
October 2014.
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.
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