Research Assistant for Spring Bread Wheat Breeding and Genetic Resources

Reports to: The Principal Scientist - Spring Bread Wheat Breeder

Location: Rabat, Morocco

Main purpose of the position

The incumbent of this role will assist the Bread Wheat Breeder to develop high yielding and climate resilient bread wheat varieties targeting The Central and West Asia, and North Africa (CWANA) and The Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regions and build national capacity through training of wheat breeders in classical and molecular breeding techniques.

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is an international autonomous, non-profit research organization supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

ICARDA's mission is to reduce poverty and enhance food, water, nutritional security, and environmental health in the face of global challenges, including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development, and capacity development that consider gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organizations, other CGIAR research centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org.

Main responsibilities

• Database management.
• Gene mining of genetic resources and introgression into elite germplasm using speed breeding facilities and molecular markers.
• Undertake wide crosses.
• Preparation of field books.
• Collection of agronomic data.
• Computerization and management of agronomic and molecular data timely and precisely.
• Assist in grain quality analysis.
• Performing any other job assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in crop breeding, agronomy or pathology.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in agricultural research.
• Experience in data management and computer skills.
• Fluent in English, Arabic.
• Driving license.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is a nationally recruited staff position open for Moroccan nationals for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position and satisfactory performance. The first year will be a probationary period.

Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.

Only shortlisted applications will be contacted.