Research Associate II - Internal Only

Research Associate II - Internal Only

REF: RA/FD/08/2025             

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Associate II who will participate and assist the activities related to germplasm health at the ILRI forage genebank..

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct routine diagnostic tests for virus, bacteria, phytoplasma and fungi in the ILRI Forage Genebank collection
• Carry out surveillance on plant diseases and pests in different field stations of the Genebank and provide suggestion for proper fungicides and pesticides application
• Isolate and culture plant pathogens, maintain the culture collection, prepare media, buffers, and other reagents used in the diagnosis
• Conduct greenhouse bioassays for determining virulence of viral, bacterial, phytoplasma and fungal pathogens including host propagation, inoculation, evaluation and data recording
• Prepare the reports corresponding to the germplasm health evaluation in the laboratory and field
• Maintain accurate records of laboratory and field activities in the database
• Apply for the issuing of the phytosanitary certificate for germplasm request and export of Genebank materials
• Collaborate in the management and implementation of the Quality Management System (QMS) and comply with all the requirements of the system
• Perform research work with the aim of constantly improving the diagnostic methodologies used
• Assist in the planning, organizing and execution of the Germplasm Health Unit (GHU) activities
• Assist in preparing and updating Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for the GHU
• Assist in updating the GHU manuals at least once a year
• Assist in maintenance and calibration of the GHU equipment
• Perform inventory counts and request for quotation for GHU activities
• Assist in daily supervision of activities and equipment, and the training of temporary staff and students
• Carry out the technical activities in the laboratory during the night, weekend and public holiday if reasonably requested according to the SOPs
• Other related duties as required and assigned by the supervisor

Academic and professional qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Plant Pathology and related

Training:             

• Training on QMS is an advantage

Experience:

• Minimum two years of experience in plant diseases diagnosis in the laboratory and field.
• Experience working in laboratory, screenhouse/greenhouse and field environments
• Experience in plant disease diagnosis using conventional and molecular methods
• Experience in diseases and pests control in the screenhouse/greenhouse and field
• Experience in using a database

Duty Station:   Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Grade:  HG 11

Minimum Base Salary:  Birr 29,224 per month   

Terms of appointment:  This is a National Staff (NS) position, initial appointment is for three years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. The ILRI remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia includes a very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, offshore pension plan, etc. The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus in Addis Ababa. Dining and sports facilities are located on site .

Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position and reference number: REF: RA/FD/08/2025 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ on or before 14 May 2025.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training).

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

To find out more about ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/

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