The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Position: Research Associate II - Germplasm Health

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Conducts routine diagnostic tests for virus, bacteria, phytoplasma and fungi in the ILRI Forage Genebank collection;
• Carries out surveillance on plant diseases and pests in different field stations of the Genebank and provides suggestion for proper fungicides and pesticides application;
• Prepares media, buffers, and other reagents used in the diagnosis;
• Conducts greenhouse bioassays for determining virulence of viral, bacterial, phytoplasma and fungal pathogens including host propagation, inoculation, evaluation, and data recording;
• Prepares the reports corresponding to the germplasm health evaluation in the laboratory and field;
• Maintains accurate records of laboratory and field activities in the database;
• Other related duties as required and assigned by the supervisor.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Grade: HG 11

Minimum Monthly Base Salary: Birr 17,082 (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.

How to Apply

Note: 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: RA/GH/01/22 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter.

All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment porta CLICK HERE on or before 21 February 2022.

To find out more about ILRI visit our website

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or College Diploma in plant pathology, plant science, seed technology
• Knowledge in relevant field and relevant technical training

Experience:

• BSc degree with two years’ experience in plant diseases, identification, detection, and seed treatment
• Diploma with four years’ experience in plant diseases, identification, detection, and seed treatment
• Know-how of ELISA and molecular diagnosis techniques
• Experience working in laboratory, screenhouse/greenhouse, and field environments
• Good computer skills

Skills:

• Effective communication in English, both written and oral
• Good understanding of molecular laboratory techniques
• Broad knowledge of plant diseases, pests, and Integrated pest management (IPM)
• Knowledge of basic statistical analysis and experimental design principles
• Basic knowledge of chemistry, math, and biology
• Ability to learn new technologies and apply it to solve problems
• Ability to operate and maintain the laboratory equipment
• Time management skills to work on several different projects at once
• Efficient data recording and management skills
• Ability to work as a team member as well as independently
• Ability to work with laboratory chemicals, fungicides, and other potential irritating substances
• • Ability to do routine and repetitious work for long hours in the laboratory or field