Senior Research Associate (Ref: 2021/02/NRS/CCCAP)

The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks to recruit a dynamic and experienced Senior Research Associate for the CIP-China Center for Asia Pacific (CCCAP).

The Position: The Senior Research Associate will support breeding activities and lead experimentation into plant physiology, including biotic and abiotic stresses. The position will report to the Country Liaison Scientist and be based in Yanqing District, Beijing, China.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the potato breeding activities between external partners and CCCAP. Including ensuring high quality of work and implementation of activities to support project advancement.

• Act as a key stakeholder for the Greenhouse/Field Manager/Gene Bank Manager and support the timely establishment of best practices for using greenhouses, net-houses and fields for crosses, TPS production, cuttings and mini-tuber production.

• Provide timely support for field preparation, planting, harvest, irrigation and fertilizer dosage.

• Support the creation of an internal annual and long-term plan for research, breeding and pre-breeding objectives and with external partners

• Ensure potato breeding trait support, such as in-field and greenhouse phenotyping (i.e., physiology, pathology, specific-gravity, among others. Assist in the development of the quality processing lab.

• Implement improvements to CCCAP analyses of physiology research and experimentation.

• Support the introduction of research related to plant physiology, i.e., drought, root structure, high-throughput phenotyping etc.).

• Produce scientific papers to be submitted and published to contribute to the research project's dissemination and knowledge.

• Support the growth of other staff and visiting scientists/students by sharing information, teaching, presenting and guiding individuals' development and providing training where necessary.

• Participate in regional and international meetings/conferences to support CIP-CCCAP's research and breeding agendas.

• Contribute to fundraising efforts by creating projects, applying for provincial, national, and international grants.

• Comply with applicable health and safety CIP policies and procedures.

• MS or Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Physiology, Agronomy, Biology, or related area.

• At least 8 years of relevant work experience in agricultural related area or project coordination.

• Strong knowledge in plant physiology. Experience working with potato is a plus.

• Demonstrated experience in project management, including experience of trait analysis, greenhouse and field management.

• Ability to create effective collaborations within CIP and outside CIP with a diverse set of institutions, disciplines and stakeholders.

• Commitment to work in a multi-partner, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

• Advanced level in written and spoken English and Chinese (Mandarin).

• Excellent working environment.

• Generous compensation package commensurate with experience.

• Two-years term contract with possibility of renewal

• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.