ย Research Technician
ICRISAT seeks applications from motivated and professional Madagascar nationals for the post of Research Technician to plan and execute demonstration protocols and participatory variety selection trials for groundnut and pigeon pea, sorghum, pearl millet and chickpea. This position is based in Madagascar. This is a nationally recruited position.ย
ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems.
ICRISAT is headquartered at Patancheru near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and eight country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT envisions a prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics. Its mission is to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics. ICRISAT conducts research on its mandate crops of chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the arid and semi-arid tropics. The Institute focuses its work on the drylands and in protecting the environment. Tropical dryland areas are usually seen as resource-poor and perennially beset by shocks such as drought, thereby trapping dryland communities in poverty and hunger and making them dependent on external aid. Please visit www.icrisat.org
Duties and Responsibilities:
Document demand for trials seed production as guided by scientists and coordinate the seed production.
Maintain seed inventory and supervise short term trial seed storage.
Design and pack trials under the direction of a scientist.
Establish trials in the designated testing sites
Ensure trials and demonstrations are established on time and planted according to trial design.
Ensure trials are well managed for quality data.
Ensure the accuracy of data entry and consolidation for analysis by the Scientist for informed decision-making.
Learn and operate the Breeding Management System (BMS) in order to manage routine operations, data upload, data curation, cleaning and preliminary analysis.
Implement timely digital data capture using the relevant tools and software
Manage a team of casual laborers involved in planting weeding, harvesting and trial processing, seed processing, see inventory, trial packaging, trial distribution.
Ensure the casual team receives the necessary training to conduct their tasks.
Ensure safety and hygiene standards are adhered to and well managed.
Assist in training partners on a need basis and coordinate with the supervisor.
Manage printing of packets, labels, tags, and seed inventory.
Participate in exhibitions, demonstrations, and field days.
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Requirements:ย
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or a related field
At least 2 years of experience in a research institution and an understanding of plant breeding
Experience in a research environment, specifically in field layout, data analysis, and good crop husbandry practices
Sound interpersonal and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.
Candidates with less experience but proven ability to deliver may be considered
Preferably having experience of working in multi-cultural and interdisciplinary teams.
Experience in an international organization environment will be an added advantage
Practical experience in field experimental work
Ability to prioritize and organize work efficiently and independently
Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimal supervision
Good interpersonal skills, integrity, honesty and self-motivation
Computer literacy in MS Office.
Fluency in English is an added advantage
General:ย
This is a contractual role for a period of 36 months (3 years).
How to apply:
If this position interests you, click this link AfricaRice HR Recruitment Platform to apply.ย The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. Shortlisting will start from 01 October 2025.ย All Applicants should apply with their latest Resume, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining a progressive and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether they have a disability.