The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking for a for a dynamic and experienced Research Associate, to be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

About CIP

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, a member of the One CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. One CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis, and it is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.

About the role

The selected candidate will be part of the Biotech team under the supervision of Associate Scientist-Molecular Biologist.

Key Responsibilities:

• Optimize protoplast isolation and regeneration protocols for efficient production of genome edited potato plants.
• Gene construct development and validation.
• Transient expression vectors producing CAS9 and gRNA, ribonucleoprotein (RNP) transfection, and virus-induced genome editing (VIGE) to achieve foreign-DNA-free edited events.
• Molecular characterization of transgenic and genome edited events by PCR, RTq-PCR, Southern blot, sequencing and bioinformatics.
• Phenotyping by artificial infection of plants using local pathogen strains in the biosafety glasshouse.
• Able to cope with heavy intermittent workloads that might extend beyond office hours and during weekends.
• Any other duties assigned.

What are we looking for?

• Masters’s degree in agricultural biotechnology, biology, biochemistry or plant pathology with strong skills in molecular biology.
• At least four years’ experience in a similar role.
• Excellent knowledge of molecular biology, genome editing, genetic transformation and plant tissue culture preferably with roots, tubers or banana crops.
• Advance written and oral communication skills in English and Swahili.
• Strong communication and networking skills; Interest and demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

• CIP works with partners in over 20 countries to improve diets and incomes of poor people in Africa, Asia and Latin America through scientific research, innovation, and capacity strengthening.
• CIP’s programs seek to strengthen broader agri-food systems to generate economic, social and nutritional benefits for farmers, enterprises and consumers emphasizing the priorities of women and youth in particular.
• CIP emphasizes the synergies between social and bio-physical sciences as a core strategy for making breakthroughs in our understanding of complex development challenges in food and agriculture and for our ability to overcome these.

What are we offering?

• Excellent working environment.
• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.
• Fixed term contract of 1 year with possibility of renewal.
• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.