Quantitative Geneticist
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is looking for an innovative, impact-oriented quantitative geneticist with a vision for applying the new
genotyping and bioinformatics tools that are revolutionizing crop improvement world-wide. Join our international team of scientists in pioneering the application of novel
breeding methods to accelerate the development of high-yielding, stress-tolerant maize and wheat varieties for Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As a member of the
CIMMYT Crop Research Informatics Laboratory (CRIL) you will collaborate with CIMMYT’s elite maize and wheat breeding teams, as well as with partners in advanced
laboratories, seed companies, and national research programs world-wide, to improve the lives of farmers and consumers in the developing world who depend on maize
and wheat for livelihoods and food security.
Serving the world’s highest-impact maize and wheat breeding programs, CIMMYT-CRIL is expanding its team of highly qualified and motivated scientists and software
developers. You will be based at CIMMYT headquarters near Mexico City, but will work closely with our programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Primary research objectives include:
• Developing innovative breeding plans that exploit high-density marker information to increase rates of gain in stress-prone and variable environments
• Developing and testing algorithms and methods for estimating haplotype effects and genomic estimated breeding values
• Collaboration with bioinformaticians to organize high-density genotypic information in formats that facilitate marker and haplotype effect estimation
• Mining pedigree, genotypic, and phenotypic data to localize markers for high-value alleles
• Documenting genetic gains in CIMMYT’s breeding programs
Your job will entail that you:
• Oversee the development of breeder-friendly software and interfaces for selection and for display of predictions
• Support researchers in experimental design and data analysis
• Train CIMMYT scientists, national researchers, and private partners in quantitative genetics and statistics applications
• Publish scientific articles in refereed journals documenting research progress
• Participate in fund-raising to support the CIMMYT research programs
We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:
• A PhD in quantitative or statistical genetics or in plant/animal breeding, post-PhD experience is desirable
• Demonstrated research excellence in the application of high-density marker information to plant/ animal breeding programs.
• Excellent statistical computing skills, including proficiency in R, SAS, and GENSTAT
• A track record of working in close collaboration with breeders
• The ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English
CIMMYT (www.cimmyt.cgiar.org) is an internationally funded, non-profit research and training organization affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research (CGIAR, www.cgiar.org) and has an annual budget of approximately US$50 million. CIMMYT’s mission is to recue poverty and enhance food security in the
developing world by increasing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of maize and wheat-based agricultural systems while protecting the natural resource base.
The Center is a global leader in scientific research and training related to maize and wheat, and in biotechnology, socio-economics, and natural resource management
research. These activities are conducted in partnership with national agricultural research systems, non-governmental organizations, and advanced research institutions,
both public and private, in globally focused projects and programs. CIMMYT employs about 600 permanent staff from over 40 nationalities and operates through
decentralized partnership, with staff in 12 countries and projects and networks in many more. Rapid growth is occurring in South and East Asia.
The position is for an initial fixed-term contract of 3 years, after which further employment is subject to performance and availability of funds. CIMMYT offers an attractive
remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (to Grade 12), home leave,
retirement fund, and relocation shipping assistance. The CIMMYT campus has recreational and sports facilities and the center offers preschool care and transportation to an
international school in Mexico City. Housing is available on and off campus, in and outside Mexico City.
CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
Please send your letter of application outlining motivation, date of availability and competencies and experiences for the position accompanied by a detailed
CV/Resume and the names and addresses (including phone/e-mail) of three referees no later than August 16, 2010.
Human Resources Manager, CIMMYT
(Reference 2010/05)
Email: jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org
For further information contact Dr. Peter Wenzl, Head of CRIL, p.wenzl@cgiar.org or Dr. Gary Atlin, Associated Director of the Maize Breeding Program
