The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is seeking an outstanding, self-motivated, and result-oriented professional for the position of Maize Plant Health Scientist. This role provides strategic leadership in plant health across CIMMYT’s Global Maize Program (GMP), ensuring alignment with institutional goals and international priorities. The successful candidate will lead AI-enabled surveillance, pathology trials, and genetic resistance strategies to secure food systems in low- and middle-income countries.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Vision
- Define the long-term plant health strategy for CIMMYT’s Global Maize Program.
- Align disease priorities with breeding pipelines, climate projections, and global food security risks.
- Establish CIMMYT as a global authority on maize disease risk management.
AI-Enabled Surveillance and Early Warning
- Integrate field surveillance, genomics, remote sensing, and climate data into predictive disease models.
- Apply machine learning to forecast outbreaks, pathogen evolution, and potential resistance breakdown.
- Develop open-access dashboards and early warning tools for national partners.
Pathology Trials and Product Advancement
- Optimize disease screening and assays for field-based maize breeding applications.
- Design and execute scientifically rigorous, reproducible pathology trials.
- Generate high-quality resistance data to support breeding decisions and regulatory submissions.
- Ensure strict compliance with biosafety, ethical, and quality assurance standards.
Genetic Resistance and Pathogen Intelligence
- Guide breeding strategies by prioritizing durable genetic disease resistance.
- Monitor pathogen evolution through the integration of genomics and population biology.
- Translate pathogen intelligence into actionable strategies to extend the life cycles of products.
Seed Health and Phytosanitary Compliance
- Oversee comprehensive seed health testing protocols to prevent the spread of seed-borne pathogens.
- Maintain disease-free production systems through rigorous monitoring and certification.
- Ensure all cross-border seed movements comply with international regulatory frameworks (e.g., ISTA, IPPC).
Epidemiology and Agronomy Modeling
- Develop a multi-dimensional data platform consolidating epidemiological and environmental datasets.
- Model disease dynamics across various cropping systems and landscapes.
- Design management strategies specifically tailored for low-input farming systems.
Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
- Coordinate with NARS, CGIAR centers, and international agencies to address transboundary disease responses.
- Strengthen national institutional capacity through mentoring and training programs.
- Publish research in top-tier journals and develop compelling donor proposals to secure sustained funding.
- Represent CIMMYT at global forums and advise governments on biosecurity and climate risk preparedness.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Education: Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or a closely related crop protection field from an internationally recognized university.
- Experience: Minimum of 5 years of Post-Ph.D. experience.
- Publication Record: A strong track record of publishing in high-impact journals related to plant pathology.
- Technical Expertise: Experience in disease screening under both natural and artificial inoculations for key maize diseases is highly advantageous.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Solid understanding of international seed exchange and phytosanitary guidelines.
- Software Skills: Working knowledge of data analysis software such as R, SAS, or Genstat is preferred.
- Communication: Excellent reporting and communication skills in English.
- Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to manage complex relationships with collaborators (breeders, social scientists, etc.) and support staff.
- Attributes: High level of flexibility, adaptability, and organization; able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Travel: Willingness to travel widely across East and Southern Africa.
Benefits
This is an internationally recruited position with an initial fixed term of three years (including a one-year probationary period). CIMMYT offers an internationally competitive salary and benefits package, including:
- Housing allowance and car.
- Comprehensive health and life insurance.
- Assistance for children’s education.
- Paid vacation and annual home travel airfare.
- Retirement plan contributions and relocation assistance.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the CIMMYT Workable portal at: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1227824
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