International Potato Center Plant Molecular Biologist Job in Kenya

Plant Molecular Biologist

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a Plant Molecular Biologist to be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

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.

The key functions of the Plant Molecular Biologist will include the following:-

• Establish sweetpotato/potato plants in vitro and manage a small collection of accessions of African landraces, varieties, and genetically engineered organisms also referred to as genetically modified organisms GMOs;
• Regenerate and genetically transform sweetpotato/potato plants with genes of interest;
• Characterize the genetically engineered plants (events) with appropriate molecular tools and assays at the insertion and function levels;
• Assess the expected result on the plant phenotype and performance of the genetic modification using appropriate assays.
• Provide scientific advise in written form to help application for a variety of permits to use GMOs;
• Publish research articles and reports;
• Train students and professionals in plant molecular biology.

The Position:  

The candidate selected to cover this position will report directly to the Genomics & Biotechnology Global Program leader.

Selection Criteria:

• BSc, MSc, or PhD in biological sciences with background in molecular biology
• Excellent practical abilities for operating in laboratory environment
• 2 or 3 years research experience preferably with root or tuber crops

Terms of Appointment

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based on an initial contract of one-year with the possibility of renewal. 

The successful candidate will be located at the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub at the International Livestock Research Institute campus in Nairobi, Kenya.

CIP offers an attractive compensation package commensurate with experience.

Applications: 

Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to The Human Resources Manager, CIP-SSA, email (cip-nbo@cgiar.org) with the reference name of the position indicated in the subject line of the email message.