Post Doctoral Fellow (PDF) in Plant Pathology

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
PDF in Plant Pathology
Ref: IRS/02/RD/April 2010

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice, ex-WARDA) is looking for a highly qualified Post Doctoral Fellow (PDF) in Plant Pathology to be based at its research station in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, which is jointly managed with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

About AfricaRice

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) ex WARDA is an association of 24 African member states and one of the 15 international Centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The Center’s mission is to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security in Africa, through research, development and partnership activities aimed at increasing the productivity and profitability of the rice sector in ways that ensure the sustainability of the farming environment. The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) ex WARDA is temporarily headquartered in Cotonou, Benin. More information on AfricaRice is available on www.AfricaRice.org.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

The PDF in Plant Pathology will work within AfricaRice’s Sustainable Productivity Enhancement Program, as part of a multidisciplinary team working to sustain and improve the productivity of rice-based systems.
He/she will work closely with NARS scientists to conduct the research on the main rice diseases in the East and South African region and more specifically (but not limited) to:
• Evaluate farmers’ perceptions of environmental change and rice disease occurrence and severity
• Collect field data and map disease hot spots
• Document and adapt epidemiological and simulation models to African conditions and for yield loss assessment under current and future climates
• Conduct field and glasshouse experiments to analyze the interaction between rice genotype and pathogen strains under various climate scenarios
• Contribute to dissemination of research results through publication in peer reviewed journals, seminars, workshops, farmer field days, easy-to-understand pamphlets, educational videos on rice disease recognition and management, and radio scripts
• Participate in training NARS scientists on genotype X pathogen X environment interaction and modelling


QUALIFICATION

The selected candidate should have:

• a PhD in Plant Pathology or other related fields
• in-depth knowledge on agricultural sciences mainly with respect to biology and molecular biology of pathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses
• excellent statistical skills
• a good publication record
• good inter-personal skills and ability to perform in a multicultural environment
• research experience in Sub Saharan Africa would be an advantage


DURATION OF THE APPOINTMENT: The appointment is for two years with possibility for renewal


APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Candidates should send an application (including date of availability and a statement of any special qualifications for the position) and an up-to-date curriculum vitae with the names and addresses (including telephone / fax / e-mail) of three referees to:

HR Manager
01 BP 2031 Cotonou (Bénin)
Tel (229) 21 35.01.88 Fax: (229) 21 35 05 56
AfricaRice
E-mail: AfricaRice-hr@cgiar.org

Applications will be considered up to May 31, 2010 or until the position is filled.

We thank all applicants but only those who are short-listed will be contacted

AfricaRice believes that the diversity in staff promotes excellence in its operations, and encourages applications from women and developing country professionals.

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