Molecular Breeding Senior Research Associate

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: Molecular Breeding Senior Research Associate

Location: Ibadan, Oyo Duities Research data acquisition, storage, & Analysis: Trait discovery and development: Conduct QTL analysis to identify genomic regions associated with favourable traits; annotate significant genomic regions and develop tightly linked molecular markers for breeding applications. Analyse large-scale genotypic and phenotypic datasets using bioinformatics tools (PLINK, RStudio, TASSEL, Galaxy, etc.). Select and convert high-PIC, informative SNPs from fingerprinting data into KASP markers for mid-density marker panel development. Prepare technical reports and research summaries. Contribute technical reports, manuscripts, and slides preparation Presentation of research findings at relevant forums. Data Management: Curate genotypic data into the EBS database Maintain and update the custom inventory database on SharePoint. Supervision & Capacity Building: Support post graduate students, interns, and visiting researchers in wet-lab and dry-lab techniques. Support group and individual training sessions, including hands-on molecular biology workshops. Support scientists in coordinating training schedules for visiting scientists from National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and other partners. Coordinate Genotyping Services with Vendors and Service Delivery to Regional Partners: Liaise with Breeding Services and service vendors to ensure availability of consumables for timely order processing, tissue sampling, shipping logistics, sample submission, data interpretation, and storage. Develop a work plan and cost estimate for providing genotyping services, such as QC, to private-sector partners. Lab operations and procurement: Lead end-to-end project management for small and large-scale genotyping projects, mainly for maize program but also support other crops as needed. Manage procurement of laboratory reagents and screen-house consumables to maintain project operations. Tracking GMO contamination in maize breeding germplasm and pipelines: Support scientists in tracking and sampling maize grain and plants in testing for maize GMO events available in Nigeria Testing samples for GMO events in maize grain and plants Supporting seed shipment and compliance officer in generating GMO analysis reports.