The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks
to recruit a principal scientist to lead its new Feed and Forages Biosciences
program. This leadership position is part of the Biosciences Directorate. The
appointee will develop and lead ILRI’s evolving and expanding portfolio of
research in Feed and Forage Biosciences.
ILRI works with partners worldwide to enhance the roles that
livestock play in food security and poverty alleviation, principally in Africa
and Asia. The outcomes of these research partnerships help people in developing
countries keep their farm animals’ alive and productive, increase and sustain
their livestock and farm productivity, find profitable markets for their animal
products, and reduce the risk of livestock-related diseases.
ILRI is a not-for-profit institution with a staff of about
700 and in 2014, an operating budget of about USD83 million. A member of the
CGIAR Consortium working for a food-secure future, ILRI has its headquarters in
Nairobi, Kenya, a principal campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and offices in
other countries in East, West and Southern Africa and in South, Southeast and
East Asia.
Responsibilities:
• Lead the coordination of a complex multidisciplinary research program primarily directed towards genetic improvement of feed and forage species supporting livestock production, involving gene bank management, genomics, bioinformatics, tissue culture and plant genome modification, large-scale phenotypic evaluation, and end-user liaison for crop adoption.
• Develop a Research Program, lead and manage an international team of molecular biologists, plant breeders and geneticists, and animal nutrition scientists addressing a range of research on livestock forages, and feeds sources, in developing countries.
• Develop and implement a large-scale research program in Feed and Forage Biosciences.
• Raise grant money for a sustainable research group.
• Participate in the leadership group for the bioscience directorate.
• Lead the coordination of a complex multidisciplinary research program primarily directed towards genetic improvement of feed and forage species supporting livestock production, involving gene bank management, genomics, bioinformatics, tissue culture and plant genome modification, large-scale phenotypic evaluation, and end-user liaison for crop adoption.
• Develop a Research Program, lead and manage an international team of molecular biologists, plant breeders and geneticists, and animal nutrition scientists addressing a range of research on livestock forages, and feeds sources, in developing countries.
• Develop and implement a large-scale research program in Feed and Forage Biosciences.
• Raise grant money for a sustainable research group.
• Participate in the leadership group for the bioscience directorate.
Requirements:
• A PhD in Agriculture, with extensive experience in plant molecular biology, including forages molecular breeding, with a minimum of 10 years of experience post-PhD;
• A passion for generation of scientific knowledge that advances pro-poor development;
• A proven research record demonstrating experience in research design, quantitative and qualitative analytic methods and peer-reviewed outputs;
• Extensive experience in areas including several of the following: molecular genetics and genomics, quantitative genetics, population genetics and applied plant breeding;
• Excellent track record in leading and securing resource identification, facilitation of interactions within and between organizations, and will be an excellent communicator;
• Creativity, adaptability and a willingness to work in a team context
• Demonstrated ability to deliver multi-disciplinary research outputs and to initiate and manage cross-disciplinary research activities;
• Demonstration of superior program planning, coordination and management skills across a range of physical locations;
• Familiarity with aspects of livestock production, crop-livestock systems, and animal nutrition;
• Strong English language skills, both written and spoken (proficiency in other languages is an advantage)
• A PhD in Agriculture, with extensive experience in plant molecular biology, including forages molecular breeding, with a minimum of 10 years of experience post-PhD;
• A passion for generation of scientific knowledge that advances pro-poor development;
• A proven research record demonstrating experience in research design, quantitative and qualitative analytic methods and peer-reviewed outputs;
• Extensive experience in areas including several of the following: molecular genetics and genomics, quantitative genetics, population genetics and applied plant breeding;
• Excellent track record in leading and securing resource identification, facilitation of interactions within and between organizations, and will be an excellent communicator;
• Creativity, adaptability and a willingness to work in a team context
• Demonstrated ability to deliver multi-disciplinary research outputs and to initiate and manage cross-disciplinary research activities;
• Demonstration of superior program planning, coordination and management skills across a range of physical locations;
• Familiarity with aspects of livestock production, crop-livestock systems, and animal nutrition;
• Strong English language skills, both written and spoken (proficiency in other languages is an advantage)
Post location: The position is based at ILRI’s
Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya or ILRI campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. .
Extensive travel to other countries and regions will be required.
Position level: The position is Principal
Scientist Level.
Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal,
contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.
Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive international and salary
and benefits package which includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance
and allowances for: Education, Housing, Relocation, 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 provide a cover
letter and curriculum vitae: a list of publications and names and addresses
(including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about
the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience should be
included in the curriculum vitae. The position title and reference number: PL/AB/08/14 should
be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter.
All applications should be submitted through our recruitment
portal, http://ilri.simplicant.com by 24
September 2014.
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Suitably qualified
women and citizens of developing countries, with experience of working
internationally, are particularly encouraged to apply.
