(RFP300294) - Research Assistant II - Cassava Breeding

The Organization
The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) is part of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. CIAT delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people's lives. CIAT solutions address the global crisis of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
CIAT works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. CIAT is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis.

About the position
CIAT's Cassava Program collaborates with diverse partners to strengthen the cassava value chain, from production to markets. With over four decades of sustainable crop and soil management advancements, the program has enhanced smallholder livelihoods. Today, it combines improved genetics, agro-ecological management, big data, and scenario analyses to drive cassava agriculture forward.
CIAT seeks a highly motivated and self-driven Research Assistant II - Cassava Breeding to support the Cassava Program. The position focuses on managing field research in Vietnam, working closely with the Southeast Asia breeding lead and regional teams to assess breeding populations and develop superior cassava varieties.
The successful candidate will independently oversee field crossing nursery including selection of good quality of planting materials, planting, irrigation, pest and weed management, pollination, fruits and seeds management and data collection. In addition, she/he will need from time to time travel to other field sites to collect trial data and participate in harvest activities when required. Training and career development will be provided by experienced breeding scientists and the program lead.
This position will be based in Don Duong district, Lam Dong province, Vietnam with extensively travel to Tay Ninh and Dong Nai provinces.

Key duties & responsibilities
Manage crossing nurseries in Lam Dong province including planting, pest, disease and weed management, and seeds and fruits managements. Collect data related to pollination, fruited and seeded;
Pruning and making crosses as planned and specified;
Ensure the red-light system well maintained and functionable;
Seed germination and transplanting to the fields in Tay Ninh province;
Travel to collect data of trials and participate in trial activities in other provinces when required;
Summarize field activities, propose innovative solutions to challenges, and manage performance trials;
Travel frequently to research sites and work flexible hours during planting and harvesting seasons.

Requirements Required qualifications and experience
Technology career or equivalent in agronomy, agricultural sciences, or related fields;
Minimum two years of research experience in tropical agricultural systems, with cassava or vegetatively propagated crops as an advantage;
Knowledge of plant breeding, genetics, experimental design, and field plot management;
Experience with smallholder tropical farmers and national research institutions;
Ability to travel to rural areas in Vietnam.

Skills and competencies
Strong interest in developing cassava varieties using traditional, genomic, and phenomic approaches;
Highly motivated, adaptable, and capable of managing multi-location trials and supervising field teams;
Passion for collaborative, interdisciplinary, and farmer-focused research;
Willingness to learn and integrate innovative research methods and travel nationally for fieldwork;
Fluency in Vietnamese; English proficiency is desirable;

Benefits Terms of employment
This position is a national recruited position based in Lam Dong, Vietnam. The initial contract will be for 1 year, subject to a probation period of 2 months, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.
This position is graded at BG5 level, with a minimum basic salary of VND 17,490,758 in a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the CIAT job classification framework policy). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to monthly allowances, insurance, retirement plan, staff training and development, paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
CIAT is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications
Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number (RFP300294) - Research Assistant II - Cassava Breeding as the position applied for. Cover letter and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate's last name, first name for ease of sorting (Cover letter should illustrate your motivation to apply and suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications and work responsibilities. Detailed curriculum vitae should include the names and email addresses of three professional referees who are knowledgeable about your skills and professional abilities). CIAT collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Applications closing date: April 1, 2025
Please note that email applications will not be considered.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about us at:
http://alliancebioversityciat.org