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 IRRI

International Rice Research Institute

 

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTS 

IRRI is seeking to fill four positions: Soil Scientist/Agronomist, Biochemist – at its headquarters south of Manila, Plant Breeder and Liaison Scientist to be based in the Republic of Korea, and an IRRI Representative in its project based in Vientiane, Lao PDR.  The Institute is one of 16 members of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is co-sponsored by the World Bank, FAO, and UNDP.  It is a nonprofit, autonomous organization engaged in research and training on rice-related technology, and its scientists work in partnership with agricultural research institutions in major rice growing countries throughout the world.

Salary and benefits for these positions are internationally competitive. These include support for children’s education, car and housing, medical and retirement benefits. IRRI provides a gender-sensitive work environment and particularly welcomes women applicants.  The positions require international travel, especially within Asia, and the ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary environments and in interdisciplinary teams. Interested candidates can learn more about IRRI and its activities by visiting the Institute’s website at http://www.cgiar.org/irri.

SOIL SCIENTIST/AGRONOMIST

The successful candidate is expected to: 1) contribute soil and nutrient management expertise to IRRI's research on crop and natural resource management in rainfed lowland and upland rice ecosystems; 2) conduct strategic and applied research on soil and nutrient management, leading to the development of technologies for improved natural resource management and rice production in rainfed environments; and 3) collaborate with scientists from national agricultural research systems in developing countries and from advanced research institutions.

Candidates should have a PhD in soil science or agronomy, with training in the fundamentals of soil science. A strong record of research and publications, preferably including the management of infertile or problem soils, and a strong commitment to field-oriented research are essential. Candidates should have a working knowledge of quantitative soil classification and the targeting of crop management to site-specific environmental conditions. Experience in rice production in rainfed environments is desirable.

 

PLANT BREEDER and LIAISON SCIENTIST

IRRI is seeking a plant breeder to work in the Republic of Korea as a researcher and liaison scientist. The position will be based at the Rural Development Administration (RDA) in Suwon.

Major responsibilities are to:

Candidates should have 1) Ph D or equivalent in plant breeding with at least 5 years of  relevant experience; 2) knowledge of application of modern biotechnology tools in rice improvement; and 3) good English fluency and liaison skills to work in multidisciplinary teams.

 

IRRI REPRESENTATIVE, IRRI-LAO OFFICE

Working with partners in technology dissemination, the position requires skills in project and personnel management, participatory methodologies, and agronomy. The position has a proposed 2-year duration (pending suitable performance) with possible renewal for an additional 6 months.

The incumbent will report to the Head of IRRI’s International Programs Management Office and be expected to:

·        Represent IRRI with the Government of Laos and other agencies located in the country.

·        Update IRRI-Los Baños on the host country’s problems, priorities, and emerging themes and opportunities.

·        Provide overall leadership to the IRRI Team in Laos.

·        Help develop an independent national capacity for project planning, implementation, and management.

·        Help Lao scientists develop an integrated participatory agronomic and farming systems research program.

·        Backstop agronomic and farming systems research in the rainfed and irrigated lowlands and facilitate accelerating impact of research.

·        Provide leadership in the efficient administration of the project and the IRRI-Lao Office.

 

Required qualifications include:

·        An MSc, PhD, or equivalent in Agriculture or a related field with at least 5 years of relevant experience.

·        Excellent English writing, editing, and communication skills.

·        Ability to work independently under pressure and meet deadlines.

·        Managerial and foreign country working experience-preferably in SE Asia.

·        Ability to work with people of diverse cultural backgrounds.

·        Good report writing and office management skills.


Desirable skills include:

·        Knowledge of, and good contacts in, the international science communities.

·        Knowledge of the local language.

·        An understanding of other key crop production factors affecting farmers’ incomes.

  

BIOCHEMIST 

IRRI’s Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biochemistry Division is seeking a biochemist to work on conventional and modern approaches to improve grain quality, including enhancement of the content and bioavailability of provitamin A, iron, zinc, and lysine in rice grains. Deficiencies of these nutrients are particularly common among the poor and produce symptoms that include preventable childhood blindness, anaemia, and retardation of physical and mental development. 

Major responsibilities are to:

·            enhance IRRI’s capacity to assay micronutrients and other parameters of grain quality in rice germplasm, breeding lines, and rice mutants;

·    develop an interdisciplinary research program that will contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of grain quality;

·            collaborate with plant breeders and other scientists at IRRI, national agricultural research systems (NARS), and advanced research organizations to enhance the nutritive value and grain quality of rice; and

·    provide oversight of IRRI's Grain Quality Laboratory.

Candidates must have: 1) a Ph D in biochemistry or a related discipline, and 2) a demonstrated record of achievement in analytical biochemistry. At least 3 years postdoctoral experience is an advantage. Familiarity with high-throughput assays of micronutrients, metabolites and enzymes is highly desirable. Candidates should have good communication skills to work in interdisciplinary and multi-cultural environments.

 

Applications

Send (preferably via e-mail) a comprehensive curriculum vitae and names, addresses, fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of three referees to:

 

Dr. Roland Buresh (r.buresh@cgiar.org)

Chair of the Soil Scientist/Agronomist Search Committee

Deadline:  15 March 2001

 

Dr. D.S. Brar (d.brar@cgiar.org)

Chair of the Plant Breeder and Liaison Scientist for Korea Search Committee

Deadline:  15 March 2001
 

Dr. Jim Hill (j.hill@cgiar.org <mailto:j.hill@cgiar.org>)
Chair of the IRRI Representative in Lao Search Committee

Deadline:  15 March 2001

Dr. J. Bennett (j.bennett@cgiar.org)

Chair of Biochemist Selection Committee

Deadline: 31 March 2001, or until a suitable candidate has been found.

 

International Rice Research Institute

MCPO Box 3127

1271 Makati City, Philippines

Fax no.: (63-2) 891-1292

 

Please refer to code: IR01-4-POST.