Associate Scientist – Potato Breeder

International Potato Center POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Ref.: 17-10 AS/NRS/CCCAP

Associate Scientist – Potato Breeder The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic and innovative Associate Scientist to lead our potato plant breeding efforts at the CIP-China Center for Asia Pacific (CCCAP).

The position: This position will be based in Yanqing (Beijing), China. The successful candidate will report to the Chief Scientist at CCCAP, while also reporting to the Global Leader Crop Improvement located at CIP’s headquarters in Lima, Peru. The successful candidate will partner with expert teams both within and outside CIP from disciplines such as statistics, genomics, plant physiology, phenomics and crop modelling. The selected candidate will use and support the utilization of genetic and genomic resources, populations and varieties to enhance potato productivity in the main potato producing regions of China, and will contribute to potato breeding efforts in other Asian countries. Duties and Accountabilities:

• Lead the potato breeding project in CCCAP, with a strong interaction with the Crop Improvement team at CIP as well as other science leaders, in order to achieve CIP’s strategic objectives. The overall target is the development of successful potato varieties with novel and enhanced traits that will enable rapid adoption and high-yield among farmers.

• Build internal and external contacts related to potato breeding and genetics in order to develop partnerships and collaborative relationships with Chinese and other Asian institutions.

• Keep informed and up to date of the latest scientific advances in genetic resources relevant for CIP potato breeding efforts in China and Asia Pacific.

• Ensure proper management of projects and overall financial resources.

• Take a leadership role in attracting competitive grants and external funding from a range ofpublic and private donors in order to implement potato breeding in CCCAP.

• Public scientific papers in high-impact academic journals, prepare project reports, and presentations at professional workshops and seminars

• Attractresearchers,interns,andvisitingscholarstoCCCAP/CIPanddevelopcollaborativeprojectswiththem. • Provide opportunities for students and breeders to get exposure and expand ties between national and international agricultural research institutions.

Selection Criteria:

• PhDinplantgenetics,plantbreedingorplantphysiologywithatleast8yearsofworkingexperiencemanaging breeding programs. Experience in potato is a plus.

• Good understanding of, and experience with, current molecular breeding approaches.

• Experience and knowledgeofclonal, polyploidcrops is preferred, anda good understanding of issues related to potato seed production and/or research.

• Experience with statistical software such as SAS, ASREML or GENSTAT.

• Demonstrable experience in grant/research proposal formulation and fund raising.

• Proactive approach, with ability to find creative ways to solve problems or exploit potentials. • Strong publication record in the discipline with more than 05 publications in peer – reviewed journals indexed as the main author • Excellentleadershipskills tobuildandleadbreedingteamsandcollaborateacrossinstitutionsanddisciplines • Commitment to work in a multi-partner, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

• Advanced level in written and spoken English.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweet potato, and Andean roots and tubers. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the CGIAR consortium. CCCAP is in the process of opening a sizeable R&D facility in Beijing (Yanqing District), including hiring staff and outfitting the facility with laboratory equipment and furniture. Through its research on root and tuber crops and capacity-building programs, CCCAP aims to boost RTC production in the Asia Pacific region and beyond, to accelerate poverty reduction, and to improve food security.

Conditions:Thisisalocally-based(non-international)position.Applicantsfromanynationalityarewelcomed,butthey should have resident status in China. The employment contract will be for two-years with the possibility of renewal. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space forpersonal and professional growth. The successful candidate will receive a compensation package comparable with similar organizations and in line with the candidate’s qualification and experience.

Applications: Applicants should apply online through CIP’s Job Opportunities website (http://cipotato.org/open- vacancies/), including a cover letter, a full C.V. with the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeableof thecandidate’s professional qualificationsand work experience. Screening of applications will begin on November 20, 2017 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at www.cipotato.org

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.