AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center is a non-profit, autonomous international agricultural research center with headquarters in Shanhua, Tainan (Chinese Taipei) and regional offices around the globe. AVRDC conducts research and development programs that contribute to improved incomes and diets in the developing world through increased production and consumption of safer vegetables. For more information on AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center, please visit www.avrdc.org.
AVRDC is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Genebank Manager to manage the conservation of the Center's vegetable germplasm, to lead and conduct research on vegetable genetic resources of both global and traditional crops in collaboration with AVRDC's scientists and partners around the world to assure the safety and duplication of the collection, and to ensure the genetic resources are utilized effectively to benefit the poor in developing countries.
The position will be based at AVRDC's headquarters in Shanhua, Tainan (Chinese Taipei) with an extensive international travel requirement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the Center's genebank and genetic resources collections.
- Collect, characterize, document, conserve and distribute germplasm of the Center's main global and traditional crops, and other selected vegetable species.
- Develop and conduct research in support of the genetic resources conservation and its sustainable utilization.
- Facilitate the use of the Center's genetic resources by the Center's scientists and partners, identifying core collections and useful traits.
- Ensure the efficient distribution of germplasm to cooperators, and compliance with intellectual property laws, treaties, material transfer agreements, phytosanitary regulations, import permit requirements etc. relating to genetic resources and germplasm movement/exchange.
- Coordinate and develop multi-disciplinary grant proposals related to the conservation, characterization and utilization of genetic resources.
- Develop strategies and activities which will mobilize the genetic resources of the Center for use by partners in developing countries, and by partner agricultural research institutes.
- Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals, bulletins, fact sheets and other media.
Qualifications:
- PhD in genetics, plant breeding or closely related field, with five or more years of experience in genetic resources conservation; experience with vegetable crops would be an advantage.
- Expertise in research areas relevant to vegetable improvement and/or seed production of both open-pollinated and hybrid varieties.
- Understanding of international plant genetic resources intellectual property and phytosanitary issues as well as other legal issues related to relevant international treaties and genebank operations.
- Experience in computational and statistical tools for the management of genetic resources information.
- Demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Experience in fund-raising, proposal preparation and project management.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to motivate, inspire and promote team-work in an interdisciplinary, multicultural, and global context.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English; knowledge of other international languages desirable.
The Reward: This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position with competitive pay and benefits. The initial appointment is for three years and may be extended depending on requirement, funding availability, and performance of the incumbent.
How to Apply: Submit a letter of application with curriculum vitae, a recent passport size photograph, names and addresses (including telephone/fax/e-mail) of three referees by e-mail to human.resources@worldveg.org before 31 July 2015.