Opportunities

International Potato Center
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Ref: 08-22 GCB/IRS/HQ
Post Doctoral Appointment: Germplasm Curator and Pre-Breeding Specialist
The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a post doctoral germplasm curator and pre-
breeding specialist of a large, multi-year, multi-country project seeking to improve yam bean
and its utilization. The specialist should have skills and experience in collecting indigenous
cultivation knowledge, acquisition and evaluating germplasm, introgression of genepools,
statistics, selection theory, and working in a multi-partner context to developed underutilized
crops. The candidate should be committed to using research for development in a complex
cooperative environment of on-farm and on-station research. CIP seeks diversity and gender
balance in its staff. Women and citizens of developing countries are particularly urged to
apply.
The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research organization with a
global mandate to conduct research on potatoes, sweetpotatoes, Andean root and tuber
crops, and sustainable management of natural resources. CIP´s vision is to contribute from
its areas of expertise to the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in
particular those goals that relate to poverty, hunger, child and maternal mortality, and
sustainable development. CIP has its headquarters in Lima, Peru with staff and activities in
locations across Africa, Asia and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group
for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in
the developing world and supported by more than 60 donor members.
The Division: CIP has over 30 years of experience producing research outputs and has
generated extensive impact by pre-breeding potatoes and sweetpotatoes. However, our new
vision commits us to further enhance knowledge and impact though Andean root and tuber
crops and implementation of a pro-poor research and development cycle. The Division
serves as a platform to develop attractive parents and breeding populations for national
agriculture research programs. One component of this is to develop new opportunities for
smallholder farmers to diversify and improve their diet and income sources through the
effective development and exploitation of underutilized Andean root and tuber crops.
The successful candidate will have:
PhD in botany, agronomy, breeding or a related discipline
3-5 years of professional experience in germplasm collection and evaluation or
breeding in a developing country context
Familiarity with underutilized crops
Proven competence in statistics, pre-breeding or selection theory
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a diverse farmer,
researcher, and staff body
Prior experience in Latin America is useful
Excellent social skills and a collaborative style
Proactive, innovative and creative attitudes

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Good
working knowledge of Spanish is required

The Position: The scientist would be based in the CIP Experiment Station in San Ramon,
Peru in the high jungle of the Peruvian Amazon region with a recently initiated project seeking
to build up germplasm resources for the yam bean (Pachyrizhus spp.) - an underutilized
legume-root crop - , to develop a yam bean genepool for storage root and grain use, to
search for processing and marketing options for yam bean storage roots. The scientist will be
in intensive contact with CIP headquarters in Lima. There is extensive local travel within Peru
and travel to Central Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, D.R. Congo). The scientist would be
a part of CIP´s Germplasm Enhancement and Crop Improvement Division coordinating
closely with the Genetic Resources Conservation and Characterization Division. The scientist
will be also in contact with part of CIP´s sub-Saharan Africa team and coordinate with CIP´s
regional leader based in Nairobi.
Conditions: The employment contract will be for a three-year term with the possibility of
renewal. CIP offers a range of benefits for this position in addition to exoneration from local
income tax.
Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their
relevance to this position, a C.V. including full personal information, and the names and
contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate´s professional
qualifications and work experience to Rosario Marcovich at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The
reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email
message. Screening of applications will begin on 10th December 2008 and will continue until
the post is filled.
CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff.
Women and citizens of developing countries are particularly urged to apply.
To learn more about CIP please visit http://www.cipotato.org/cip/jobs.asp
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