Post-Doctoral Fellow – Trait Development and Deployment Breeder

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is not-for-profit agricultural research for development organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org

CIMMYT is looking for an innovative and academically well-qualified candidate to work within a global maize research team. Post-Doctoral Fellow – Trait Development and Deployment Breeder to work with the Integrated Development Program. The selected candidate will be a member of the maize allele mining team within the Genetic Resource Program. The allele mining team is systematically exploring the vast maize genetic diversity currently housed in the world’s germplasm banks with two major objectives:

1. Identify novel haplotypes for climate-adaptive traits that have a high potential economic and social impact in global agriculture.
2. Deploy the identified haplotypes through traditional and genomics-assisted breeding into bridging germplasm that will connect the banks to advanced breeding programs in Africa.

The successful candidate will play a key role in our ambitious goal of constructing a robust germplasm bridge between currently under-utilized maize germplasm banks and advanced breeding programs in the public and private sectors, delivering demanded novel haplotypes for key traits in breeder-friendly backgrounds.

The position is based at CIMMYT’s campus in Texcoco, State of Mexico, located 45 km northeast of Mexico City, Mexico.

Specific duties:

• Assist in the design, deployment, and management of field-based evaluations in stressful environments.
• Assist in the management of breeding operations, including nursery and testing.
• Collaborate with biometricians within and outside the CGIAR in the design of experiments and the analysis of yield trial data.
• Collaborate with statistical and quantitative geneticists in data analysis to identify novel haplotypes for climate-adaptive traits and develop breeding schemes to optimize the development of new bridging germplasm.
• Publish research results in high-impact scientific journals.

Required academic qualifications, skills, and attitudes:

• D. in Plant Breeding or Genetics.
• At least 2 years of experience in a plant breeding pipeline.
• Familiarity with the application of DNA markers in an applied plant breeding pipeline.
• A good understanding of statistical methods for agricultural research.
• A good understanding of quantitative genetics.
• A demonstrated ability to innovate and to work collegially and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Knowledge of Spanish is desirable but not essential.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Problem Solving and Decision-making, Critical and Creative Thinking, Communication and Teamwork.

The position is for an initial fixed term for two (2) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

Candidates must apply here for IRS21153_Post-Doctoral Fellow – Trait Development and Deployment Breeder. Screening and follow-up of applications will begin on Monday, February 28^th, 2022. Applications must include a CV and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. For further information on the selection process, please contact Yessica Castillo, at y.castillo@cgiar.org

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled. 

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.