The Organization
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people's lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people in a climate crisis.
The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
https://alliancebioversityciat.org/ www.cgiar.org
About the position
Based at the Bioversity International Transit Center in Leuven, Belgium hosted by KULeuven, and under the supervision of the Senior Scientist, Biodiversity for Food & Agriculture, the Research Associate will support the phenotyping team. The Research Associate will establish different current and future climates in our high throughput growth chamber the \"BananaTainer--\" and will operate our online transpiration monitoring phenospex platform in the greenhouse. We are a home for the international banana collection and are internationally considered as a leading center for banana diversity research.
Responsibilities
- Preparing in-vitro culture and hydroponics media for the multiplication of the different banana varieties.
- Operating the BananaTainer and the phenospex platform and managing climate control.
- Monitoring and controlling possible pests and disease pressure.
- Monitoring plant growth and development.
- Assisting in data collection and archiving in accordance with the lab requirements.
- Supporting training activities for students and researchers.
- Clustering research euFB00orts consistent with the established research/experimental design and implementation according to speciuFB01c milestones.
- Monitoring the execution of research procedures and experimental protocols and reviewing data quality to ensure consistency with established guidelines.
- Advising research team on progress of research activities and identiuFB01es issues in the implementation of experiments and data quality.
- Facilitate the collection/sharing of data, and compliance with experimental protocols to support research/experimental projects.
- Organizing the review of experimental/research data aligned to testing schedules and project timelines, identiuFB01es and responsively addresses issues in execution.
Requirements
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in horticulture, agriculture, or biotechnology.
- Previous relevant work experience in a horticulture company.
- Knowledge of horticulture techniques, including climate steering and control.
- Precise, well-organized, and structured work approach.
- Well-developed skills in personal organization, priority setting, problem-solving, and accuracy.
- Flexibility, and ability to meet deadlines.
- Capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Results-oriented and an eager-to-learn attitude, particularly in the field of plant science research.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people from different cultural and national backgrounds.
Desirable Requirements
- Knowledge of plant in-vitro tissue culture.
- Basic knowledge of Word and data processing programs.
- Excellent command of the English language.
Benefits
Terms of employment
This is a locally recruited position which will be based in Leuven, Belgium. The salary is level 6, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest. The salary range starts from Euro 41,000 per annum. The remuneration package includes a competitive salary, leave provisions, medical and life insurance, and a non-contributory retirement plan. The contract will be for a period of 1 year, subject to a probationary period of 6 months, and is renewable based on performance and availability of funds.
Please note that eligible applicants must have the legal status to live and work in the European Union. Citizens of EU countries and citizens of non-EU countries are individually responsible for compliance with requirements and formalities established by the national immigration law of the country where they stay and carry out their working activity.
Applications
Please apply online through the website ( https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers ) no later than 19 November 2023, attaching a curriculum vitae, motivation letter, both in English, and contact information (e.g. names, email address) of at least three references. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Closing date for applications: 19 November 2023
We invite you to learn more about us at:
http://alliancebioversityciat.org
Please visit our careers page at:
https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers