Scientist II - Plant Pathology and Host Plant Resistance

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Job Purpose

The Rice Breeding Platform will deliver on key priorities of the Strategic Plan in the areas of breeding for favorable environments, breeding for unfavorable environments, host plant resistance, quantitative genetics, seed and delivery systems and germplasm evaluation.  This position falls under the Traits for Challenged Environments Unit and will serve as IRRI’s breeding project lead for the Resistance Gene Deployment for Southeast Asia, South Asia and East and Southern Africa and will lead and provide strategic direction for the Host Plant Resistance Group.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and is open for international applications.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct the delivery of research on host plant resistance to emerging diseases under changing rice production scenarios and develop improved germplasm tolerant to biotic stresses
• Conduct high quality research on rice crop pathology for identification of donors, QTLs, disease monitoring and gene deployment strategy
• Advance research on emerging diseases that are part of IRRI product concepts
• Lead contributions of a group of scientists and support staff into IRRI’s impact areas and provide administrative support to its members
• Publish research results in high indexed journals
• Responsible for the articulation and execution of the Host Plant Resistance team strategy
• Ensure delivery of outcomes aligned with the IRRI’s vision, mission, values, target goals, policies and procedures
• Manage performance and mentor scientists and staff in the research cluster
• Collaborate with government, donors, rice R&D partners, private enterprises to align with client and donor expectations
• Align with Platform and Unit Leaders and Research Support to assure cross-Unit synergy within IRRI’s Research group
• Work in a highly collaborative environment (including breeders, physiologists, entomologists, nematologists and breeding operation managers)
• Maintain and proactively develop network and partnerships with potential donors
• Develop a group strategy and implementation plan and ensure alignment to Platform strategy, plan and priorities
• Identify donors, QTLs, disease monitoring and gene deployment strategy for key biotic constraints
• Develop and implement (in partnership with breeders and breeding operations) HTP phenotyping protocols for key traits of interest for biotic stresses
• Facilitate the development research journal publications related to favorable environment
• Actively seek external funds and secure partnerships for research and development

Qualifications

• PhD degree in Plant Pathology, Genetics or other relevant disciplines with at least 5 years of post-PhD experience

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Understanding of plant-pathogen interactions in the overall context of rice diseases
• Experience in genomics and molecular analysis of hosts and pathogens
• Overall comprehension of epidemiology and management of plant diseases
• Experience in plant genetics and tools to accelerate gene discovery
• Overall background of major biotic traits
  

Preferred

• Experience in genome editing tools
• Knowledge in trait development for breeding

How to Apply:

Interested applicants must submit their applications on or before 19 February 2022, with latest CV and Cover Letter. Please click this link to submit your application.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Women candidates are encouraged to apply.