INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS (ICARDA), ALEPPO, SYRIA

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – PLANT MOLECULAR GENETICS

Aleppo, Syria

The Organization

ICARDA is a non-profit international agricultural research center in a worldwide consortium of 15 centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The CGIAR is co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  With a staff of over 400 scientists and support personnel, representing more than 45 nationalities, ICARDA addresses two key areas of agricultural research: germplasm improvement (cereals and legumes) and natural resource management. The Center has a global mandate for barley, lentil and faba bean improvement, and a regional mandate for the improvement of wheat, chickpea and forage and pasture legumes. A major emphasis is placed on the conservation and management of land and water, and improved productivity of small ruminants in integrated farming systems in dry areas. The Center’s research and training programs are implemented in partnership with national programs and, in most cases, with other CGIAR centers as well as advanced research institutes in both developing and industrialized countries.

The Position

ICARDA is seeking a Research Associate – Plant Molecular Genetics, who will work within a multidisciplinary team of plant geneticists and breeders. S/he will be based in ICARDA’s headquarters at Aleppo, Syria, and will report to the Director, Integrated Gene Management (MP2). S/he will work on ICARDA’s mandate crops, namely, barley, wheat, lentils and chickpeas and will have the following specific responsibilities:

· Physiological trait analysis (drought, cold, salinity)

· Linkage and association mapping

· Analysis of allelic imbalance

· Development of micro-array-based gene expression profiles

· Manuscript writing and publication

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidates should hold a PhD degree in plant molecular biology or a closely related field with research experience in molecular marker development, gene expression analysis, linkage map construction and plant physiology. Candidates should have the capability and willingness to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and multinational team. Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.

Terms of Appointment

The appointment will be for an initial period of two years, renewable thereafter annually.  The salary is paid in US dollars.  Benefits include housing allowance, paid home leave travel, a savings scheme, life and health insurance package, vehicle for business and personal use, and free enrollment for dependent children in the ICARDA-administered international school (KG–Grade 12).

Living in Syria

ICARDA’s headquarters is situated 30km south of Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city.  In addition to the internationally-accredited school, ICARDA runs a Sports and Social Club for the staff. Syria has many historical and archaeological sites, some a short drive from Aleppo.  There are four distinct seasons and the terrain varies from desert to mountains to fertile fruit orchards. Major international airlines fly into Damascus and Aleppo.

Method of Application

Qualified candidates should download and complete the ICARDA employment application form (MS Word or PDF), and send with a recent photograph and any other relevant supporting documents (non-returnable) to:

Personnel Services

            ICARDA, P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria

Telephone: (963-21) 2213477, 2225112, or 2225012

            Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105, or 5744622

            E-mail: ICARDA-JOBS@CGIAR.ORG

Website: http://www.icarda.cgiar.org

NOTE

1. If sending by e-mail, please do not include graphics or other large file attachments.

2. Quote reference INT-RA/8435/05 on application (or in subject line if applying by e-mail).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 31 December 2005.

ICARDA is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from women.

29 November 2005