Senior Scientist - Small Ruminant Genomics (ICARDA)

Reports to: Team Leader Resilient Agrosilvopastoral Systems
Location: The position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Main purpose of position
The Senior Geneticist will provide scientific leadership on the small ruminant genomics research portfolio at ICARDA, its contribution to the OneCGIAR research initiatives and work of other global consortia. The position is embedded in the multidisciplinary Resilient Agrosilvopastoral Systems (RASP) Team which aims at improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers and pastoralists in the drylands of North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

About ICARDA
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.
ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as 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 take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, 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
All CGIAR Centers are currently engaged into a reform process (“One CGIAR’”) that will help ICARDA and CGIAR achieve better impact through more strategically integrated research, unified governance, an integrated structure and new research modalities across participating Research Centers. This transformation is supported by CGIAR donors who have committed to increased funding as a result of these reforms.

Main responsibilities
• Lead the design, development, and implementation of ICARDA’s small ruminant genomics research utilizing advanced genomics technologies,
• Design genomics research which supports breeding programs for smallholder farmers and pastoralists considering adaptive traits to harsh environments,
• Generate scientific knowledge to advance the improvement of small ruminant genetic resources through integrating genomic marker data, DNA and RNA sequence data and phenomics to prioritize variants for sequence-level genomic selective breeding improvement,
• Supervise, lead, and mentor research associates, visiting scientists and graduate fellows related to small ruminant genomics research,
Support capacity development of national partners in genomics,
• Lead and co-author high impact papers in peer-reviewed journals and support broader dissemination of research findings through other media avenues,
• Contribute to ICARDA’s larger small ruminant research and OneCGIAR’s ruminant research agendas by working with other ICARDA and OneCGIAR scientists, strengthening existing partnerships, building new innovative collaborations with national and advanced research institutes.
• Develop and manage innovative Research and R4D Projects related to small ruminant genomics and small ruminant research in general responding to resource mobilization opportunities,
• Represent ICARDA in high level scientific and partnership meetings, as required.

Education, qualifications, and experience
• Doctoral degree in animal genetics/genomics and breeding or related disciplines,
• A minimum of 8 years of post-PhD research experience preferably within an international working environment in international organizations, in sub-Saharan Africa and in geographic regions spanning the global drylands,
• Strong expertise in advanced experimental molecular and population genetics, including the capture and use of complex phenotypic and molecular data relevant to production and adaptation traits,
• Familiarity with bioinformatics and computational platforms/pipelines in the use and analysis of high throughput sequence and microarray datasets,
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, time management and reporting skills,
• Experience in a supervisory role and willingness to contribute to graduate student supervision and show evidence of leadership in development of research projects, and career mentoring and management of a team of professional staff,
• Proven record of international quality peer-reviewed scientific publications, with a focus on small and large ruminant genomics research portfolio,
• Demonstrable oral and written presentation and communication skills with fluent written and spoken English,
Demonstrable success in resource mobilization for applied, basic and multidisciplinary research,
• Demonstrable excellent interpersonal, interactive and communication skills, experience interacting with a variety of stakeholders, and demonstrated ability to collaborate with peers in the genomics field and across disciplines (applied and basic sciences),
• Willingness to travel frequently, often to rural and remote areas in developing countries and in geographic regions across the drylands.

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits as per IRS requirements
This is an internationally recruited position for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package, including a competitive salary, housing allowance, non-contributory retirement plan, medical insurance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars.
The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 2 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position and satisfactory performance. The first 6 months will be probationary period. Possibility of the extension will be subject to merit and productivity of the staff, funding and continued need for the position.

How to apply
Please apply online at this link, by 07 April 2022 latest.

ICARDA is committed to increasing women representation in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from women.
Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.