Senior Research Assistant - Opuntia Breeder
Reports to: Research Team Leader - Breeding and Scaling Improved Varieties of Dryland Cereals and
Pulses / Morocco Research Platform Manager
Location: Rabat, Morocco Main purpose of position
The cactus pear (syn. Barbary cactus,
Opuntia ficus-indica
) is an extremely drought tolerant species that can grow in harsh environments. It is often referred to as “green-gold” or as a five “F”s crop: its fruits are used as
food
, its cladodes are chopped and used as animal
fodder
, its pulp is used for
fashion
by conversion to skin products rich in Omega 6 and Omega 9 but also in bio-leather, the whole plant can be effectively fermented to produce
fuel
in the form bio-gas, and finally the rest of the fermentation process is a valuable organic
fertilizer
. ICARDA has a long-lasting experience in exploiting this species for raising farmers income and to help in dryland restoration. In response to these successes, ICARDA and FAO established the Cactus network (
Dactylopius coccus
) that has since decimated the prickly pear population of the Mediterranean Basin. Thanks to our joint efforts we were successful in 2018 in the identification of resistant ecotypes. These have since been multiplied with support from the Moroccan government and their delivery to farmers has already begun. To this date, ICARDA main activities on pear cactus were based on collections of different ecotypes, agronomy, and value chain promotion. However, the appearance of the cochineal has since changed the situation as it is threatening to destroy all the good work done across the whole Mediterranean Basin. To that scope, ICARDA in partnership with INRA is in the process of embarking into the breeding of this species. The successful incumbent shall establish the basis of a prickly pear breeding hub in Morocco, ensuring strong linkage with pre-existing internationals and nationals field management and value chain work.
About ICARDA
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR. ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information:
All CGIAR Centers are currently engaged into a reform process (“One CGIAR’”) that will help ICARDA and CGIAR achieve better impact through more strategically integrated research, unified governance, an integrated structure, and new research modalities across participating Research Centers. This transformation is supported by CGIAR donors who have committed to increased funding as a result of these reforms.
Main responsibilities
1. Revise the available body of knowledge on the subject.
2. Import and characterize international germplasm.
3. Under supervision, devise and test a breeding scheme to maximize genetic gain.
4. In partnership with national institutions, establish breeding trials across locations.
5. Test laboratory quality screening and propagation methods.
6. Perform statistical analysis of the results.
7. Store all data in adequate data management systems.
8. Compile annual reports.
9. Publish scientific articles.
10. Represent ICARDA at national and international fora.
11. Perform any other duty as required by the project.
Requirements
Education, qualifications and experience
· Master’s degree in an Agriculture Science discipline.
· At least 3 years of relevant experience in breeding, agronomy, or molecular research.
· Good grasp of statistical analysis of field and molecular data.
· Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team, including scientist from other disciplines.
· Fluency in spoken and written English with good communication skills.
Desirable qualifications and competencies
· Previous experience in cactus pear field work.
· Previous experience in the use of genomic models.
· Previous experience in the use of data management platforms.
· Driving license.
Benefits
Terms of appointment, salary and benefits
This is a full-time nationally recruited staff position open to Moroccan nationals for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position, availability of fund and satisfactory performance. The first year will be a probationary period.
Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.
ICARDA is committed to increasing women representation in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from women.
Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.