POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

Research Officer I – Germination Laboratory Coordinator

Feed and Forage Development Program

REF: RO/GLC/21/22

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Position: The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Officer I – Germination Laboratory Coordinator who will be responsible for forage genebank activities on seed germination related to viability testing and monitoring, regeneration or multiplication of forage germplasm and lead in implementation of the seed quality management (SQM) projects.

General: The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Carry out forage germplasm seed viability testing;

• Tabulate and analyse germination tests and develop the related report;

• Consult the genebank database team on curation and retrieval of germination test records;

• Advise the genebank database team on routine viability monitoring of conserved germplasm;

• Develop improved methods for dormancy breaking and pre-germination treatments;

• Carry out literature reviews and web searches on germination methods to determine best methods for different species;

• Develop the germination laboratory workplans and reports;

• Supervise technical assistants and guide germination laboratory activities;

• Collaborate with other genebanks on forage germplasm regeneration and multiplication in dormancy and pre-germination treatments;

• Contribute to the rescue of forage germplasm that it is at the risk of permanent loss by designing the best germination methods and maintenance in the green house for further seed increase;

• Respond to requests on forage germplasm germination and viability information;

• Supervise and guide interns & research fellows attached to the germination laboratory;

• Maintain an inventory of the reagents and equipment associated with the seed germination laboratory;

• Ensure adherence to laboratory healthy and safety rules and regulations;

• Contribute to genebank fundraising proposals;

• Contribute to journal articles and other publication development; 

• Perform any other genebank administrative or technical issues as may be assigned by the Genebank Manager.

Academic and professional qualifications:

Education:         

• Master’s degree in seed science, biology, botany or related field

• Knowledge in relevant field and relevant technical training

Experience:

• At least three years’ of relevant work experience in a busy seed testing laboratory,

• Knowledge of ISTA certified methods and techniques of seed testing

• Working on forage species seeds is an added advantage

Skills:

• Good communication skill and interpersonal relationships

• Computer literate

• ISTA Membership

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Grade:  HG 13

Minimum Base Salary:  

• Birr 31,979 per month (negotiable depending on salary history of the candidate)

Terms of appointment:  This is a National Staff (NS) position, initial appointment is for three years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. The ILRI remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia includes a very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, offshore pension plan, etc. The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus in Addis Ababa. Dining and sports facilities are located on site.

Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position and reference number: REF: RO/GLC/21/22 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: THISLINK on or before 17 August 2022.