Plant Cell and Tissue Culture Specialist

CIAT is one of the non-for-profit research institutions of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Its headquarters are based in Cali, Colombia. CIAT conducts progressive research aimed at reducing hunger and poverty while preserving natural resources in developing countries.

CIAT works, among several crops, with cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in the areas of genetic transformation, molecular genetics, pre-breeding and breeding, entomology, pathology, agronomy, and post-harvest processing.

Ongoing research at CIAT has made considerable progress towards the development of a protocol for the production of doubled haploids based on culture of cassava microspores. CIAT is therefore opening a post-doctoral position for a Plant Cell and Tissue Culture Specialist to continue with the development of the protocol.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biology, Botany, Genetics, Plant Physiology, Plant Breeding, or related field.
• At least 3 years of expertise in research on plant cell and tissue culture, and in particular, demonstrated experience in developing or adapting and advancing/using haploid technology from anther and microspore culture.
• Expertise in laboratory, greenhouse, and field operations associated with plant tissue culture protocols.
• Expertise on plant cell/tissue culture of perennial species is not a requirement but desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise on generating doubled haploids from model species is highly desirable.
• The candidate must be fluent in English. Fluency in Spanish is desirable but not required.
• Disposition to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary research team.
• Demonstrated capacity for supervision of technical personnel.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate laboratory work and team of 3-4 people (assistants and field workers).
• Innovate to advance the protocol for the regeneration of doubled haploids
• Interact and collaborate with other scientists of the project in Asia and Africa.
• Interact and collaborate with other scientists at CIAT.
• Training of personnel from developing countries on the protocol.

Terms of employment

The position is internationally recruited, will be based at CIAT headquarters, Cali, Colombia, under the Post Doctoral Fellow Category, and will report to the Cassava Program Leader. The position will be initially for a 2-year period, with possibility for an extension for an additional year. CIAT offers internationally competitive salary packages, is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality. Women and candidates from Latin America, Africa, and Asia are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applications

Enquires and applications, including a cover letter, a full curriculum vitae with a list of publications and the names and contact details of three referees (including telephone number and e-mail address), should be sent to Olga Lucía Cruz (o.l.cruz@cgiar.org). Screening of CVs will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

We invite you to learn more about CIAT by accessing the website: www.ciat.cgiar.org.