Translational Genomics-Associate Scientist

Associate Scientist Translational Genomics

ICRISAT seeks applications from Indian nationals for the position of Associate Scientist – Translational Genomics to support activities in the Cluster-Genomics, Prebreeding & Bioinformatics under the Global Research Program of Accelerated Crop Improvement. The incumbent will be based at Headquarters of ICRISAT at Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

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

Responsibilities:

·         Substantially contributions to the integrated crop improvement strategy in ICRISAT by innovatively identifying, prioritizing, and targeting key research issues of legume translational genomics

·         Contribute significantly to top quality international scientific literature, and demonstrate impact of research and delivery activities

·         Collaborate with national and international partners and stakeholders to achieve the required impact of the institute’s research agenda in the genomics operations

·         Prioritizing and developing strategies to target constraints in legume (Groundnut and Pigeonpea) genomics to strengthen crop breeding programs and also genetic purity in seed system

·         Optimizing/developing new methods of translational genomics such as better performing methods for gene and haplotype discovery and validation through different omics approaches

·         Expertise in analyzing high throughput sequencing and genomic data such as performing genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genetic mapping analysis; QTL, genes and haplotype discovery, genomic selection and development of cost-effective genotyping assays for breeding applications in pigeonpea and groundnut

·         Contribute in scaling up adoption and application of translational genomics research activities including marker development, genotyping and marker-assisted selection of plants in ICRISAT and NARS breeding programs

·         Contribute in securing, sustaining and managing the necessary human, financial, and material support, by reaching assigned resource mobilization targets and play a significant role in ensuring that ICRISAT attains corporate annual resource mobilization targets

Requirement:

·         Should hold a PhD in Genomics/Biotechnology/Genetics/Computational Biology and/or related discipline of plant genomics with 3-5 years of extensive crop (pigeonpea or groundnut) experience with in depth genetics and genomics understanding and development & applications of genomics tools during PhD and post-PhD

·         The candidate must have experience in the area of genetics, genomics and molecular biology with high quality research outputs including an excellent record of publication in high impact journals.

·         Demonstrated ability to write proposals and resource mobilization in the area of regeneration, Engineering or similar areas

·         A deep understanding of translational genomics in crops of agricultural importance with a basic understanding of genomics and allied sciences

·         Specialized analytical skills in analyzing sequencing and genotyping data for trait discovery and trait introgression applications

·         Collaborate with all ICRISAT research units across all locations and various NARS and international research institutions in providing genomics science support and provide reliable backstopping to multidisciplinary teams of researchers during the research cycle

·         Contribute to research publications of scientists and research scholars, and documentation of in genomics research

·         Track record of peer reviewed publications in agricultural research and allied sciences

·         Well connected with Institutions and Organizations in the relevant areas of research

·         Experience of working in multicultural, multi-disciplinary scientific teams and ability to work across diverse environments and cultures

·         Excellent written and oral skills in English

·         Demonstrated leadership abilities, commitment towards organizational goals and strong interpersonal skills

·         Proactive, achievement oriented and independent problem solver, and an excellent team player

General:

This is a contractual role for a period of 30 months.

How to apply:

Applicants should apply on or before 16 June 2023, 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