Temporary Laboratory Assistant – CIMMYT

Reference number: 202646

Job status: In-progress

Job category: Temporary Position

Duty station: Kiboko, Makueni County, Kenya

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Landscape Alliance

Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to
advance planetary health and human well-being. Landscape Alliance is the operating name of the Center for International
Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF). CIFOR and ICRAF are
independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers.

Landscape Alliance is looking for a

Temporary Laboratory Assistant – CIMMYT

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, triticale, 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

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:
Temporary Laboratory Assistant
To assist the field, laboratory, and greenhouse activities in the doubled haploid, seed health and molecular breeding projects.

Duties and responsibilities

1.Field Operations.

  • Assist in planning, establishment, and
    management of nurseries and field trials

  • Assist in optimizing the agromnomic
    management and developing efficient protocols

  • Support in monitoring plant health and
    implementation of pest and disease management practices

  • Assist in phenotyping, trait scoring,
    and accurate field data collection

  • Assist in harvesting and post-harvest
    activities, including seed handling and processing

  • Support optimal management of field
    facilities and equipment (e.g., irrigation systems, sprayers).

2.Greenhouse
Operations.

  • Support operation and maintenance of
    greenhouses, screenhouses, and growth chambers

  • Assist in planting, crop management,
    and routine greenhouse activities

  • Assist in seedling handling and
    preparation for specialized activities (e.g., chromosome doubling)

  • Ensure proper labeling, tracking, and
    maintenance of plant materials.

3.Laboratory
Operations.

  • Assist in seed/plant sampling,
    preparation, and processing

  • Support seed sorting activities (e.g.,
    haploid vs. diploid classification)

  • Assist in sample preparation for
    laboratory analyses (e.g., genotyping, seed health testing)

  • Support routine laboratory procedures
    and experimental activities.

4.General operations.

  • Assist in research facility
    management, including keeping the facilities clean and neat and maintaining
    inventory of capital (CAPEX) and non-capital items

  • Support procurement and inventory
    management of consumables and supplies

  • Assist in equipment maintenance and
    ensure operational readiness

  • Support recruitment and coordination
    of casual labor in consultation with the station manager

  • Ensure timely availability of required
    materials, supplies, and labor.

5.Data Management and
Reporting.

  • Assist in maintaining accurate and
    well-organized records across field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities

  • Assist in ensuring proper labeling,
    documentation, storage and traceability of plant and seed materials while
    ensuring quality control at each stage

  • Assist in supporting timely data
    entry, validation, and reporting

  • Use germplasm and data management
    systems (e.g., EBS) for generating seed stock names, codes and lables etc. and
    tracking the materials.

6.Compliance and
Safety.

  • Follow safety protocols in field,
    greenhouse, and laboratory environments

  • Assist in ensuring proper handling,
    storage, and disposal of chemical and biological materials

  • Comply with institutional, biosafety,
    and regulatory guidelines.

Requirements

  • Diploma/Bachelors degree in
    Agriculture, Plant Science, or related field.

  • Experience in field crop management.

  • Experience in lab and greenhouse
    operations.

Education, knowledge and experience

  • Diploma/Bachelors degree in Agriculture, Plant Science, or related field.
  • Experience in field crop management.
  • Experience in lab and greenhouse operations.

Terms and conditions

  • This is a Temporary position.
  • The appointment will be for a period of 6 months, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
  • The duty station will be in Kiboko,Kenya.
  • We will acknowledge all applications but will only contact short-listed candidates.

Application process

The application deadline is 29 Jul 2026.

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

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.