Principal Scientist – II (Head, International Genebank)
The
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
(ICRISAT) is currently seeking an experienced and highly motivated
individual as the Principal Scientist-II (Head- International Genebank).
The ICRISAT Genebank maintains a large ex situ collection of over
129,000 accessions of Sorghum, Pearl millet, Chickpea, Pigeonpea,
Groundnut, Finger millet and five small millets from 144 countries of
the world. ICRISAT has a large medium term and long-term storage
facility in Patancheru and small collections at three regional locations
(Nairobi, Kenya; Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and Niamey, Niger). The Head of
the ICRISAT Genebank will be fully responsible for operations at all of
these locations as follows:
- Ensure that all of ICRISATs ex situ conservation activities are regularly monitored, documented and proved to meet international standards, and that ICRISAT fulfils its obligations to the international community to secure their collections, make them available, and enhance their use for the future. This includes the management of conservation and distribution of accessions in regional stations.
- Ensure
the safety level 1 and level 2 backup of the accessions at appropriate
locations following international protocols and agreements.
- Ensure
the documentation of accessions are as complete as possible and easily
available to internal and external requests for enhancing the
conservation and utililization of collections. Oversee the development
of ICRISAT’s new data system in GRIN-Global and ensure regular updates
to the web portal, Genesys.
- Ensure
reporting obligations of the Genebank Platform to the Institute,
partners and the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture are fully complied with.
- Contribute
actively to planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting collective
and individual Center activities under the Genebank Platform.
- Coordinate
activities and events with one CGIAR Genebank managers, as well as
National Genebanks ICRISAT partners with as well as with the staff of
the Crop Trust.
- Monitor, manage and take full responsibility for the use of annual funding provided by the Genebank Platform.
- Develop
and implement ICRISAT's approach to developing a single integrated
genebank in multiple locations. This will require close collaboration
with CGIAR Centers and partners in the regions and supervision of
ICRISAT regional staff.
- Interact
with the Government of India and other Governments in ICRISATs sphere
of influence, to facilitate the safe movement of germplasm to and from
different countries.
- Conduct
and contribute to research within ICRISAT and with partners to improve
the efficiency of conservation and use of the collection
- Publish research results in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Orient
and evaluate the Staff after setting individual and teamwork plans, and
develop human talent of the Genebank staff at all locations.
- Plan and manage the budget in full accordance with the Genebank Platform and ICRISAT policies.
- Develop
and submit grant proposals in relation to research issues for the
conservation, increase and utilization of the collections, and
participate other major initiatives for the conservation or enhancement
of the in-trust collections.
- Coordinate regional partnerships in the conservation, dissemination, evaluation, or use of genetic resources.
- Represent
ICRISAT in international forums on plant genetic resources and
participate into the ad hoc committees of the CGIAR on plant genetic
resources and related issues.
Assignment Location:
The
position will be based at ICRISAT’s headquarters in Patancheru, near
Hyderabad, Telangana State, India. Hyderabad is the largest city and
capital of the Telangana State; and also the de jure capital of the
state of Andhra Pradesh. It is India’s fourth largest city; and is a
fascinating combination of the ancient and the modern India.
Hyderabad
has developed into one of the major hubs for the information technology
industry in India. In addition to the IT industry, various
biotechnology and pharmaceutics companies have set up their operations
in Hyderabad owing to its established Public sector in Life Science
Research and Genome Valley. The city incubates several promising
start-up companies and is one of the most exciting business centers in
the country.
Located
at the crossroads of North and South India, Hyderabad has cultivated a
unique culture that is reflected in its language and architecture.
Hyderabad is known for its rich history, food and its multi-lingual
culture. There are four major languages spoken in Hyderabad: Hindi,
Deccani-Urdu, Telugu and English. English is the language of business
and administration and is widely spoken and understood. The Hyderabadi
cuisine is known for its delectable flavours. Traditional Hyderabadi Dum
Biryani is the most celebrated dish from Hyderabad.
Hyderabad
has world class education facilities. While it is home to the
prestigious International Business School, the city also houses
educational institutes and schools imparting various national and
international curriculum. It is noteworthy, ICRISAT hosts the
International School of Hyderabad within its campus.
Hyderabad
is an ideal destination for expatriation. A vibrant international
community, warm and friendly residents, negligible crime rate,
sophisticated luxury hotels, sprawling shopping malls, boutique cafes
and world class recreation facilities make the city an ideal destination
for global citizens.
How to apply:
If this position interests you, please follow the below instructions to apply.
Applicants should apply on or before 31 May 2022,
with latest Curriculum Vitae, and the names and contact information of
three references that are knowledgeable about their professional
qualifications and work experience. All applications will be
acknowledged. However, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
About ICRISAT:
ICRISAT
is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural
research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide
array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilo
meters of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has
over 2 billion people and 644 million of these are the poorest of the
poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged
populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment
through better agricultural production systems.
Aspirational targets and development outcomes:
ICRISAT
has set four bold targets in the next ten years that will enormously
benefit the well-being of the drylands' poorest people:
- Help halve rural poverty by increasing farm incomes through more productive, stable, diverse and profitable crops and crop products;
- Help halve hunger by contributing innovations that increase yields by 30% on a wide scale and through policy advice that stabilizes food prices and availability;
- Help halve childhood malnutrition by enhancing the nutrient content of staple food crops and helping the poor diversify their crops, delivering more nutritious and safer food; and
- Increase the resilience of dryland farming through innovations that stabilize, safeguard, and enhance natural resource capital, biological and systems diversity, and land;
ICRISAT, with an annual budget of over USD60 million, has a global workforce of over 3000 individuals in Asia and Africa.
Position overview:
ICRISAT
has a compelling mission to fight poverty and improve the lives of
people living in the semi-arid regions around the world. The semi-arid
tropics are harsh environments with some of the highest levels of
poverty and malnutrition, impacted strongly by climate change and
battling water shortages and environmental degradation. The UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be met unless we are
persistent in escalating efforts towards finding solutions in these most
challenged landscapes.
This
is an exceptional opportunity to become a part of a modern and
innovative agricultural research organization. ICRISAT is embarking on a
journey to implement its new research structure in Asia, East and
Southern Africa and West and Central Africa through its three newly
carved global research programs. To implement its research for
development agenda, ICRISAT is looking for a dynamic, experienced,
exceptional, multi-talented candidate for the position of ‘Principal
Scientist-II (Head, International Genebank)’ for its Global Research
Program “Accelerated Crop Improvement”.
The
position will report to the Research Program Director – Accelerated
Crop Improvement. This position will be hired through a Globally
Competitive Recruitment process on a contract for a period of three
years with an attractive compensation and benefits package payable in US
dollars. A new contract may be offered at the end of the present
tenure based on the performance of the incumbent, funding availability
and the Institute’s continuing need for the position. The suitable
candidate will need to be able to act fast, engage professionally and
build relationships across multiple cultures, besides working closely
with the Institute’s Leadership Team and scientists across all our
locations in Asia and Africa.
ICRISAT
is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing
diversity and maintaining a progressive and inclusive workplace. We
welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their
ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age,
marital status or whether they have a disability.
Why ICRISAT?
ICRISAT
offers a rewarding career opportunity in dryland agricultural research
to have a lasting impact on millions of lives and communities. The state
of the art research infrastructure with high performance culture,
ICRISAT provides global exposure and learning. For more details, visit www.icrisat.org;
Preferred Qualifications:
- Minimum Education: PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Economic Botany, Seed/ Tissue Physiology or closely related discipline;
- Experience: At least 13 years of postdoctoral experience including at least 3-4 years’ experience as a Principal Scientist-I or an equivalent role in the operation of an International/ Regional or National Genebank involving crops with different levels of outcrossing and propagation.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Expertise in population Genetics, Breeding systems, Crop evolution, Seed physiology and Pathology relevant to the conservation and distribution of Crop Germplasm including wild relatives.
- Understanding of international laws related various treaties, conventions and protocols governing access and benefit sharing of Crop Genetic Resources, of Plant Phytosanitary regulations and of Intellectual Property Rights impacting on the movement of Crop Germplasm and Genebank operations.
- Understanding of crop genetic diversity in collections, including the identification of gaps in the collections and strategies to fill such gaps.
- Track record of publications in crop genetic resources in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Successful experience in fund raising, writing of project proposals and management of research projects.
- Knowledge of advances in genomics for enhanced utilization of genetic resources in crop improvement programs.
- Demonstrated leadership competencies.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
- Excellent inter-personal relationships skills with proven ability to organize work completion within time and meeting deadlines, to motivate staff towards performance in Genebank operations, to inspire professional staff in their own research activities, and to interact with colleagues in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
Key Skills
Population genetics,
breeding systems,
crop evolution,
seed physiology,
pathology
Additional/Preferred Skills
Management,
Resourcing,
international laws,
conventions,
Treaties,
Plant IPR,
conservation
Preferred Qualifications
1. PhD,
economic botany,
seed/tissue physiology
Preferred Industry Experience
GeneBank,
Plant breeding
Why ICRISAT?
ICRISAT offers a rewarding career opportunity in dryland agricultural research to have a lasting impact on millions of lives and communities. The state of the art research infrastructure with high performance culture, ICRISAT provides global exposure and learning. For more details, visit www.icrisat.org
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