The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks
to recruit a Post-doctoral Scientist, Molecular Genetics to join a team working
on Goat genetic diversity and improvement with research sites in Ethiopia and
Cameroon. This position is within the ILRI-BecA-Hub and the candidate will
integrate with the African Goat improvement network.
ILRI works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways
out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR
Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many
partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa
and other hubs in East, West and Southern Africa and South, Southeast and East
Asia.
CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a
food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are
members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner
organizations.
ILRI also manages the Biosciences eastern and
central Africa (BecA) Hub at ILRI, the centre for excellence
in modern plant and animal biology in Africa. BecA is an initiative developed
within the framework of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)/
African Union African Biosciences initiative. It consists of a Hub based on the
ILRI campus in Nairobi, Kenya and a network of regional nodes and other
affiliated laboratories and organizations throughout the region. The BecA Hub
facilities are world class, including a range of molecular, plant
transformation, and genomics laboratories and equipment (e.g. 454 sequencing,
Biosafety level 3 laboratory, plant growth facilities). The Hub hosts and
conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas where new developments
in science offer promise to address previously intractable problems
constraining Africa’s development. Capacity building is a major goal of
all activities. The scope covers agriculture and food security and their
intersections with human health and nutrition, and the sustainable use of
Africa’s natural resources.
Responsibilities:
- Designing,
executing and analysing advanced molecular based experiments;
- Contributing
to laboratory based genetic diversity studies using molecular markers;
- Contributing
to development of additional molecular markers in goats;
- Supporting
the use of molecular markers for breeding programs;
- Contributing
to capacity strengthening;
- Supervising
junior staff, students and visiting scientists;
- Contributing
to resource mobilization.
Essential Skills and Qualifications will include:
- A PhD
degree obtained not more than 3 years ago in the field of population
genetics or statistical genetics;
- Experience
with analysis of high density genotype data (Genotyping by Sequencing, SNP
genotyped data);
- Competence
in working with R or MatLab environment;
- Solid
working knowledge of various bioinformatics packages used for genomic wide
data analysis;
- Proven
track record of publications;
- Experience
working in an advanced biotechnology research group;
- Excellent
interpersonal skills and the ability to perform in a multicultural
environment and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
- Competence
in Familiarity with Linux, Programming in Perl or Python;
- Ability
to nurture next generation of Africa scientists;
- Familiarity
with livestock genetics and animal breeding.
Post location: The position will be based in
Nairobi, Kenya.
Position level: Post-doctoral Scientist (4A).
Duration: 2 years with the possibility of
renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.
Terms of appointment: Base salary from USD
35,000 per annum depending on skills and experience. Benefits package
includes: Medical insurance for staff and dependents, Life
insurance, Education allowance for children, Housing allowance, Baggage
Allowance, 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 submit a cover
letter and curriculum vitae which includes a list of publications and the names
and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are
knowledgeable about the applicant’s professional qualifications and work
experience. The position title and reference number: PDS/MG/09/2013 should
be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter.
All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment
portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com on
or before 12 October 2013.
