Main purpose of position
The successful candidate will play a key role in conducting and developing cereal physiology research at ICARDA, with a primary focus on adaptation to drought and heat in durum-and bread wheat. The objective is to identify crop process and methods that can be used to improve the efficiency of wheat breeding program for climate change adaptation. The physiologist shall follow the development of the drought and heat platform station of Sidi el Aydi, as well as use it to obtain meaningful results for the breeding programs of ICARDA. Further, he/she shall attempt to attract funding to develop further the physiology component of ICARDA via the establishment of strong national and international networks, as well as show good impact via scientific publications. Finally, the selected person shall work with the capacity building unit to ensure training and development of the young generation of scientists in crop physiology for the drylands.
Main responsibilities
1. Ensure the correct establishment of the Sidi el Aydi drought/heat research station
2. Use this and other stations to identify key adaptation traits to heat and drought in cereal breeding lines
3. Develop and deploy scalable tools as proxy for the selection of superior lines in the cereal breeding programs
4. Interact with young scientists from North Africa, Central and West Asia to ensure building of capacities
5. Develop international networks to ensure exchange of knowledge as well as to attract funding.
6. Compile annual reports and publish scientific articles in ISI journals
7. Represent ICARDA at national and international fora.
Education, qualifications and experience
· PhD degree in Plant Sciences with one to three years of experience in physiology-based research.
· Strong understanding of abiotic stresses if wheat and their adaptation mechanisms
· Capacity to link physiology research with breeding outputs
· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
· Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural work environment;
· Demonstrated ability to plan, conduct and interpret research results and publish research articles
Desirable qualifications and competencies
· French or Arabic proficiencies
Terms of appointment, salary and benefits
This is an internationally recruited position for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, housing allowance, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 2 years, renewable for up to 1 year, subject to continued need for the position and satisfactory performance. The first year will be probationary period.
How to apply
Please apply online at www.icarda.org/iea/ by January 17, 2019
ICARDA is committed to increasing women representation in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from qualified women.
Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
