Job Title : 29/03/2023
Location : Ibadan+5 locations
Company : International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Salary :
Open Date : 2023-03-29
Close Date : 2023-07-29

Plantain Pathologist (Ref: DDG-R4D/PP/03/23)

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites internal

applications for the internationally recruited position of Plantain Pathologist.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that

generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger,

malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-

Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase

employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global

agriculture research partnership for a food-secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more

information on IITA.

As part of the Accelerated Breeding Initiative (ABI), IITA is breeding plantain and East African

Highland bananas. This position is to strengthen plantain breeding and foster the integration of

both breeding programs.

Position Responsibilities

The Plantain Pathologist will:

• In conjunction with banana breeding efforts in East Africa, organize and plan banana and

plantain pathology activities in West Africa.

• Interact with banana pathology in East Africa by defining common SOPs and defining a

common vision for Musa Breeding.

• Where available, apply precise high-throughput tools for early screening of breeding and pre-

breeding populations to BBTV, Sigatoka, Nematodes, and Weevils.

• Design and implement field, screen house, and laboratory experiments on plantain pests and

diseases.

• Maintain cultures of pathogens and pests and produce inoculum for screening plantain

breeding materials.

• Implement digital data capture, upload, and organize data onto MusaBase.

• Manage junior staff in all plant pathology activities and contribute to orient new staff.

• Maintain laboratory equipment, materials, and reagents and assist with procurement.

• Participate in workshops and present advances in plantain pathology to raise the visibility of

the program.

• Write reports and peer-reviewed publications related to pathology activities.

• Manage linkages with various research development partners in Nigeria and West Africa.

• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
  

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or related fields. Experience in banana

pathology is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Pathology experience in plantain and/or banana breeding with at least three pathogens.

• Pathology experience in the field and with bioassays in the laboratory and/or screenhouse.

• Expertise in writing publications.

• Expertise in linking pathology to agronomy, soil health and/or farming systems, and exposure

to other crops than bananas.

• Experience with molecular techniques in disease diagnostics.

• Work experience in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment would be a great asset.
  

Duty Station: Ibadan, Nigeria.

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers an

internationally competitive remuneration package paid in US Dollars.

Applications: Applications must include covering letter, which should address how the

candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for,

curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include

either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct

Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be

addressed to the Head of Human Resources. Please complete our online application form using

this link: http://www.iita.org/careers

Closing Date: 13th April 2023

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women

candidates.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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