The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a Post-doctoral level Food Scientist with skills in product development and nutrition composition analysis to contribute to regional projects on pro-vitamin A rich orange-fleshed sweetpotato in Africa.
The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. 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. CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. The CIP Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) main regional office is in Nairobi, Kenya. CIP also has an existing office in 7 other SSA countries.
Position Description: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya at the nutrition lab of the Biosciences for eastern and central Africa (BecA) research center (on the campus of the International Livestock Research Institute), with occasional travel within the sub-Saharan Africa region. The Food Scientist will report to the Project Leader for the Scaling-Up Sweetpotato through Agriculture and Nutrition (SUSTAIN) project which is using orange-fleshed sweetpotato as an entry point for improving nutrition outcomes through an integrated agriculture-nutrition-marketing approach. The principal tasks and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:
Duties and responsibilities: • Lead the establishment of a regional lab to analyze the nutritional content of sweetpotato (conventional and biofortified varieties) in their fresh and processed forms and the bioaccessibility of sweetpotato-based products. • In collaboration with partners, conduct research on shelf-life life and quality characteristics of orange-fleshed sweetpotato puree and its derived products that are preserved using different methods. • Collaborate with private-sector partners in the development of cost-effective sweetpotato-based products. • Backstop public-sector partner institutions in the region in improving their protocols for nutrition analysis. • Supervise students on thesis research topics of relevance to the sweetpotato food science program. • Participate in food science professional forums in sub-Saharan Africa, and specifically provide leadership for the regional Sweetpotato Support Platform focused on Post-Harvest Management and Utilization. • Engage in resource mobilization to strengthen the nutrition lab and post-harvest research in the region. • Contribute to project reports and publish relevant findings on a timely basis. Selection Criteria:
The successful candidate will have: A. Necessary requirements: • PhD degree in Food Science or Biochemistry • Experience in nutrition composition analysis and excellent analytic skills • Aptitude for teamwork, leadership, training, and communications skills. • Good publication record. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. • Willingness to travel within the region.
B. Additional preferences: • Experience working with starch chemistry or product development. • Working knowledge of Portuguese and/or French. • Prior experience working in sub-Saharan Africa. • Experience in fund raising. • Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team or project.
How to apply:
Conditions: The employment contract will be for a two-year term (with a three month probation period) with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funding. The salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars; including 15% pension contribution, various international insurances, and relocation allowance. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.
Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to cip-recruitment@cgiar.org, copied to Simon Heck (s.heck@cgiar.org). The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on 12 March 2014 and will continue until the post is filled.
