Ref.: 11-35 SPV/IRS/HQ
The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a PhD in Plant Virologist with skills and experience in molecular plant virology and diagnostics. The Scientist will manage and undertake research on the project: “Determining the pan-African sweetpotato virome: understanding virus diversity, distribution and evolution, and their impacts on sweetpotato production in Africa”.
The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.
The position: This position will be located at CIP headquarter in Lima, Perú. The candidate will be expected to travel to Africa to supervise sample collection surveys and attend project meetings in the USA.
Duties and Accountabilities:
- Conduct sample survey throughout Africa and generate an unbiased collection of field-grown sweetpotato samples
- Develop a simplified procedure suitable for RNA processing, purification, and storage as well as a small RNA library construction for sweet potato
- Determine continent-wide (Pan-African) sweetpotato virus genomes (virome) by siRNA deep sequencing and assembly on geo-referenced samples
- Contribute to development computational methods to efficiently process and assemble siRNA sequences for sweetpotato virus genome identification.
Selection Criteria:
- PhD in plant molecular virology or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in research accomplishment preferably with experience in RNA silencing, analysis of next generation sequencing data and similar.
- Work experience in Africa with sweetpotato viruses would be an advantage.
- Proven international publication record.
- Ability to establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Spanish, French and Portuguese Language would be highly favorable.
- Attitude for teamwork and manage research planning and implementation.
- Ability to interact with people at all levels in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
- Willingness to travel.
Conditions: Employment contract will be for two and a half years term. Salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. CIP provides additional benefits, including employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance and retirement benefits. Allowances toward relocation, housing, home leave travel, dependents’ education and annual leave are also provided. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.
Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: cip-recruitment@cgiar.org with a copy to Jan Kreuze (j.kreuze@cgiar.org). The reference name of the position should be clearly marked in the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on December 5, 2011 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Learn more about CGIAR and CIP by accessing web site at www.cipotato.org
CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply
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