We are seeking an outstanding, highly-motivated candidate for the position of Cereal Chemist in the Global Wheat Program. This position is an excellent career opportunity for a researcher interested in wheat quality improvement and in exploiting wheat genetic diversity for higher-value applications in nutrition, processing, and end-use quality. The selected candidate will work in close collaboration with CIMMYT’s bread and durum improvement programs, as well as in bilateral projects addressing quality aspects of the wheat grain.
The Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org
The position reports to the director of the Global Wheat Program and is based at CIMMYT’s campus in Texcoco, Mexico, located 45 km northeast of Mexico City, Mexico. It involves some travel both within Mexico and to collaborating countries.
Specific duties of this position include:
- Develop and improve methods to efficiently evaluate wheat grain compositional factors affecting processing, end-use, nutritional quality and health related factors of CIMMYT wheat germplasm for a wide range of wheat products.
- Characterize parental lines and other types of wheat germplasm for their quality and nutritional characteristics and identify novel sources for distinct applications, using the latest screening methods based on chemical, electrophoretic or molecular analysis.
- Supervision and organization of the quality laboratory
- Contribute to research activities leading to knowledge gain in relation to genotypic, environmental, and crop management effect on grain quality and quality stability
- Fluency in English and a good knowledge of Spanish
We are seeking candidates with the following academic qualifications, skills and attitudes:
- PhD degree in cereal chemistry or related areas.
- Experience in addressing quality of cereals, preferable related to the genetic improvement of wheat grain composition.
- Knowledge in plant breeding (including molecular approaches) and activities in collaborative research projects will be added advantages.
- Knowledge of the genetic control of traits related to quality characteristics such as grain hardness, protein and starch composition, and enzymatic complexes that influence processing quality.
- Experience in handling techniques such as spectroscopy, electrophoresis, dough rheology, food processing (bread and cookie making, etc.), and wheat quality-related laboratory protocols.
- The ability to use high-throughput quality testing methodologies to support the needs of a breeding program that handles two crop cycles a year.
- Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural partnerships.
We will offer an initial contract for three years, which may be renewable subject to continued need and funding for the position and performance of the staff member. Our internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, airfare for annual home-leave, contribution to a retirement plan, and assistance with relocation shipment.
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.
To apply for this position, please email cover letter and CV no later than 15 December, 2013 to Human Resources, CIMMYT (Email: irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please indicate Position Reference number: 12325 in the header of your email).
For further information on the selection process, please contact Guillermo Flores, Staffing Specialist, at g.flores@cgiar.org
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
