Scientist I – Plant Breeding – International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Closing Date 25-Oct-2022

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Job Purpose

This position is critical for supporting and managing One Rice Breeding Strategy and to implement OneIRRI Breeding Network based across the crop maturity groups and breeding pipelines in India.  It will be useful to work closely with the Regional Breeding Lead – PDVRC cluster – ISARC team-Rice breeding innovation team of IRRI Headquarter-Other CGIAR to match the regional expectation of CG-NARES in South Asia. Leading country specific breeding pipelines in close collaboration with breeding lead and NAREs, trait discovery program, prediction-based breeding. Leading in project development for regional preference and resource mobilization for IRRI-SA Hub and partners involved in rice improvement. Co-ordinating capacity building and training activities in South Asia to enhance the capacity building of NARES partners in the region towards innovative breeding approaches.

This position will be based in Hyderabad, India and is open for international applications.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Managing Rice Breeding-India team to implement OneRice breeding strategy through One IRRI Breeding Network and product delivery in prioritized market segments in alignment with PDVR and NARES
• Lead country-specific GS based breeding pipeline for region specific market segments to realize genetic gains in farmers’ field conditions
• Manage and coordinate country specific NARVI for testing new IRRI elite inbred rice varieties in close collaboration with different stakeholders
• Develop AI-enabled trait discovery pipelines for identification of high value allele(s)/haplotypes to be utilized in the global breeding programs/pipelines
• Play a proactive role in managing CG-NAREs networks (OneIRRI, BioNET, NARVI) and building capacity of NARES in breeding modernization and liaise with other stakeholders
• Lead country specific research proposals and actively help to secure funds and manage funds and support from regional/global stakeholders
• Ensure delivery of outcomes are fully aligned with the IRRI’s vision, mission, values, target goals, policies, and procedures
• Align with Platform, Cluster Leaders, ISARC, and South Asia Leadership to assure synergy within IRRI’s Research group
• Build and maintain partnership with internal, local and international collaborators and stakeholders towards resource mobilization for innovative research
• Collaborate with governments, donors, One-IRRI-NARES partners, private enterprises and One CGIAR expectations in the region
• Maintain and proactively develop networks & partnerships with various research teams, including public and private entities
• Smoothly align and evolve OneIRRI network (India) with regional priorities to deliver improved varieties and its impact in the prioritized markets
• Provide leadership to Rice Breeding programs at the country level and provide professional advice to IRRI management and high-level partners
• Supervise, coach and mentor scientific professional and support staff including PhD students, PDFs
• Actively seek external funds and secure partnerships for research and development to meet the program’s research needs
• Publish and actively contribute to articles in peer-reviewed journals from research and experiment activities showcasing the Institute’s scientific leadership as and when possible

Qualifications

• PhD in genetics, plant breeding or other relevant discipline with 3-5 years of post-PhD experience in modern plant breeding techniques

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Demonstrated ability to implement prediction-based trait discovery/ breeding program
• Proven ability to manage large breeding networks and multi-disciplinary teams
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of plant breeding and genetics
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Hands on experience in NARES capacity building
• Demonstrated ability to implement prediction-based trait discovery/ breeding program

Preferred

• Experience in managing a large team, and budgets
• Thorough understanding of IRRI’s evolving mission in the region in context of OneCG
• Experience in and capacity development of NARES

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances. Join our team and be part of our story!

• Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• This position will remain open until filled.