Vacancies at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research Supervisor (Breeding)

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-021
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (2-year renewable contract)

Duties
Establishment of field trials:

  • Design trials using under supervision of breeder using state-of-the art experimental approaches including row-column and alpha-lattice designs.
  • Manage day-to-day operations of on-station, off-station, and on-farm cassava breeding field trials.

Phenotyping and data management:

  • Prepare plot barcodes and electronic resources for data capture including hardware and software
  • Collect pre-harvest data, including early plant vigor, pest and disease resistance and morphological characterization.
  • Conduct harvesting of field trials and capture yield and yield-related traits data
  • Prepare and upload data on Breeding Database (cassavabase)
  • Responsible for updating and maintaining trials and pedigree records.

Implementation of high-throughput phenotyping:

  • Carry out image-based phenotyping (leaf and root traits related to morphology and pest and diseases)
  • Conduct phenotyping of quality traits using portable Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) equipment

Qualification

  • B.Sc / HND in Agriculture, Agronomy, Biology, or related fields with two (2) years’ experience in field breeding environment.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

  • Have good field data collection skills, excellent record keeping, experience in high through-put phenotyping, trial design and data analysis skills
  • Be organized, strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills
  • Consistently follow field and lab protocols and other directions and with minimal errors
  • Be dependable, takes initiative and responsibility for own actions
  • Be flexible, adaptable, able to respond to changes in routine
  • Be strong listening, verbal, and documentation skills.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application attaching detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format.The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include the applicant’s current or previous direct Supervisor, professional colleague and evidence of current remuneration package.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: Research Supervisor (Post-Harvest)

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-021
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (2-year renewable contract)

Duties

  • Receive, sort, and record samples received from on-station and off-station field trials.
  • Manage pre-processing of roots samples (cleaning, peeling, and weighing).
  • Process roots samples to determine dry matter and starch content.
  • Convert fresh cassava roots into processed products (mainly gari and odorless fufu).
  • Determine product yield per standardized unit of fresh roots.
  • Liaise with Food Science lab to evaluate quality traits on processed products and fresh roots.
  • Ensure all data are digitally recorded using PhenoApps
  • Responsible in collating, curating, and uploading all post-harvest phenotyping data to cloud storage (cassavabase).
  • Liaise with supervisors to plan and ensure procurement of supplies for laboratory analysis
  • Assist in training of collaborators, students, trainees/interns and NYSC members
  • Supervise junior staff and daily rated staff.
  • Perform all job-related duties as may be assigned by supervisor

Qualifications

  • BSc/HND in Agriculture, Biology, Food Science, or related fields with two (2) years’ experience in a field-based phenotyping environment for clonal crops.

Competencies:
The ideal candidate must:

  • Have good field data collection skills, excellent record keeping, experience in high through-put phenotyping, Trial data analysis skills
  • Be organized, strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills
  • Consistently follow field and lab protocols and other directions and with minimal errors
  • Be dependable, takes initiative and responsibility for own actions
  • Be flexible, adaptable, able to respond to changes in routine
  • Have strong listening, verbal, and documentation skills

Remuneration

  • We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application attaching detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format. The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include the applicant’s current or previous direct Supervisor, professional colleague and evidence of current remuneration package.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: Research Supervisor (Laboratory)

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-021
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (2-year renewable contract)

Duties

  • Conduct regular DNA and RNA extraction for diversity studies, variety identification and gene expression analysis.
  • Implement Marker-Assisted Selection activities in the lab for the Cassava Breeding Program.
  • Carry out routine data analysis and report writing.
  • Establish field and screen-house experiments related to gene discovery.
  • Actively participate in field sample collections, while taking utmost care in tracking and maintaining sample records from the field to the lab.
  • Keep an up to date record of laboratory supplies and participate in procurement processing.
  • Prepare and maintain centralized stock of DNA and RNA extraction reagents for routine laboratory use.
  • Ensure compliance with safety regulations of the Biotechnology Laboratory.
  • Provide day-to-day supervision to junior staff (NYSC, IT).
  • Perform all job-related duties that may be assigned from time to time by the supervisor.

Qualification

  • BSc / HND in Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or related fields with two (2) years’ experience in a laboratory environment.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

  • Have good laboratory skills, excellent record keeping, experience in high through-put sample processing (DNA extraction, and genotyping), Genetic analysis
  • Be organized, strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills
  • Consistently follow protocols and other directions and rarely make errors
  • Be dependable, takes initiative and responsibility for own actions
  • Be flexible, adaptable, able to respond to changes in routine
  • Be strong listening, verbal, and documentation skills.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application attaching detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format.The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include the applicant’s current or previous direct Supervisor, professional colleague and evidence of current remuneration package.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: Research Technician II (Breeding)

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-021
Location: Ubiaja-Edo, Ikenne-Ogun & Mokwa-Niger
Contract: 2-year renewable contract
Recruitment Type: National (2-year renewable contract)

Duties

  • Assist in designing and establishing field trials under supervision of breeder
  • Implement day-to-day operations of on-station, off-station, and on-farm cassava breeding field trials.
  • Prepare plot barcodes and electronic resources for data capture including hardware and software
  • Collect pre-harvest data, including early plant vigor, pest and disease resistance and morphological characterization.
  • Conduct harvesting of field trials and capture yield and yield-related traits data
  • Ensure field trials are always well maintained
  • Assist in updating and maintaining trials and pedigree records
  • Assist to oversee hiring and supervision of daily-hired staff for planting, weeding and harvesting operations while maintaining strict control of budget expenditures
  • Assist in coordinating crossing activities for all locations
  • Perform any other duties assigned by the Supervisor

Qualification

  • National Diploma in Agriculture, Agronomy, Biology, or related field with three (3) years’ experience performing similar role in a laboratory environment.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

  • Have good field data collection skills, excellent record keeping, experience in high through-put phenotyping, trial design and data analysis skills
  • Be organized, strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills
  • Consistently follow field and lab protocols and other directions and with minimal errors
  • Be dependable, takes initiative and responsibility for own actions
  • Be flexible, adaptable, able to respond to changes in routine
  • Be strong listening, verbal, and documentation skills.

Remuneration

  • We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Method of Application
Interested applicant should forward their Applications include Covering Letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, Curriculum Vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work).

Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: Research Technician II (Post-Harvest)

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-021
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (2-year renewable contract)

Duties

  • Assist in implementation of all post-harvest operations under supervision of the post-harvest supervisors and line breeder
  • Receiving, sorting, and recording samples received from on-station and off-station field trials.
  • Manage day-to-day pre-processing of roots samples (cleaning, peeling, and weighing) from on-station, off-station, and on-farm cassava breeding field trials.
  • Convert fresh cassava roots into processed products (mainly gari and odorless fufu).
  • Process roots samples to determine dry matter and starch content.
  • Assist in collating, curating, and uploading all post-harvest phenotyping data to cloud storage (cassavabase).
  • Extend technical support to daily-hired staff, students, trainees/interns and NYSC members
  • Perform all job-related duties as may be assigned by supervisor

Qualification

  • National Diploma in Agriculture, Biology, Food Science, or related fields with two (2) years’ experience performing similar role in a laboratory environment.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

  • Consistently follow protocols and other directions and rarely make errors
  • Have good sampling handling skills, excellent record keeping, experience in high through-put sample processing
  • Be organized, strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills
  • Be dependable, takes initiative and responsibility for own actions
  • Be flexible, adaptable, able to respond to changes in routine
  • Have strong listening, verbal, and documentation skills.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application attaching detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format.The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include the applicant’s current or previous direct Supervisor, professional colleague and evidence of current remuneration package.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF)

Deadline: 10th August, 2020.