Research Technician – Sorghum Breeding

Reference number: 202631

Job status: In-progress

Job category: Local Position

Duty station: Kiboko, Makueni County, Kenya

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CIFOR-ICRAF

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a

Research Technician – Sorghum Breeding

Overview

About our organization:
CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. For more information, visit: cimmyt.org

In Kenya, CIMMYT is hosted by World Agroforestry (ICRAF), a member of the CGIAR that is headquartered on United Nations Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya. We invite you to learn more about CIMMYT and World Agroforestry by accessing our web sites: www.cimmyt.org and www.worldagroforestry.org

CIMMYT is looking for a:
Research Technician – Sorghum Breeding

The technician will be responsible for day-to-day field operations that ensure breeding materials are correctly handled, trials are well managed, and field data are captured accurately for use in predictive breeding workflows. The role will also provide practical support to collaborating project teams by assisting with the movement of breeding material and the advancement of selected lines through the breeding pipeline.

Duties and responsibilities

1 . Breeding operations support.

• Support breeding activities by helping
  coordinate the movement of genetic material through successive breeding stages.

• Assist with preparation, labeling,
  storage, and dispatch of materials for rapid-cycle advancement.

• Maintain accurate records of breeding
  materials.

• Support timely transfer of selected
  material between greenhouse, nursery, and breeding pipeline stages.

2.Cross and seed
logistics.

• Prepare and organize
  seed packets, crossing kits, envelopes, labels, and other materials required
  for breeding operations.

• Assist with seed
  sorting, packaging, reconciliation, and dispatch for crossing and advancement
  activities.

• Support tracking of
  parental lines, cross progenies, and advanced breeding materials to ensure
  identity and traceability.

• Help maintain
  orderly seed stores and breeding operation supplies.

3.Support rapid
early-generation cycling.

• Assist in handling
  materials from rapid cycling crosses, including progenies from early-generation
  crosses and related advancement materials.

• Ensure breeding
  materials are moved quickly and accurately between activities to minimize
  delays in the pipeline.

• Support preparation
  of materials for recurrent crossing and advancement under the RCGS workflow.

• Help maintain
  continuity of materials across breeding cycles and breeding generation
  transitions.

4.Coordination of
trial kits.

• Work with Trialing
  Research Associate in preparing trial kits, labels, materials, and documentation
  required for multi-location sparse testing.

• Ensure that all
  items needed for field trials (seeds, plot QR code labels) are packed and
  dispatched correctly and on time.

• Coordinate with
  field teams, breeders, and logistics staff to ensure smooth delivery of trial
  kits to partners.

• Keep checklists and
  inventories for all kits and dispatched materials.

5.Data recording and
documentation.

• Record breeding
  operation details accurately, including dates of crossing, dispatch, and sparse
  testing location details such as trial planting harvesting and data return, and
  material movement.

• Ensure all genetic
  materials and experiments are recorded in EBS.

• Assist with basic
  data entry and file organization related to breeding operations.

• Support
  documentation needed for quality assurance, traceability, and reporting.

6.Collaboration with
scientists.

• Work closely with
  the Plant Breeder and other scientists to implement operational aspects of
  RCGS.

• Support the
  conversion of genomic selection decisions into practical breeding actions.

• Coordinate with
  breeders to ensure selected materials are prepared and moved efficiently
  through the pipeline.

• Provide operational
  feedback on bottlenecks, delays, losses, or material-handling issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Crop
  Science, Seed Science, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, or a related field

• Practical experience in seed handling,
  breeding nursery support, or agricultural research operations in a large plant
  breeding program.

• Experience supporting breeding
  programs, crossing work, or germplasm logistics.

• Familiarity with dryland crops such as
  sorghum, pearl millet, or finger millet.

• Experience in seed labeling, inventory
  management, or breeding pipeline tracking.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced
  research environment with multiple deadlines.

• Willingness to support occasional
  travel to partner sites.

Education, knowledge and experience

•Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Crop Science, Seed Science, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, or a related field

•Practical experience in seed handling, breeding nursery support, or agricultural research operations in a large plant breeding program.

•Experience supporting breeding programs, crossing work, or germplasm logistics.

•Familiarity with dryland crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, or finger millet.

•Experience in seed labeling, inventory management, or breeding pipeline tracking.

•Ability to work in a fast-paced research environment with multiple deadlines.

•Willingness to support occasional travel to partner sites.

Terms and conditions

•This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications. In Kenya, employment contracts are issued under ICRAF in compliance with Kenyan labour law. Locally recruited staff are eligible for a non-contributory pension scheme, comprehensive medical insurance, paid annual and statutory leave, and learning and development opportunities in line with CIFOR-ICRAF policies.

•The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.

•The duty station will be in Kiboko, Makueni County, Kenya.

•We will acknowledge all applications but will only contact short-listed candidates.

Application process

The application deadline is 12 Jun 2026

We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.

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