Research Officer I - Forage characterization - INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL

Research Officer I - Forage characterization

Livestock Genetics, Nutrition and Feed Resources Program

ROI/LGFNR/014/26

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Officer I - Forage characterization who contributes to the team working in the area of forage genetic resource characterization, evaluation and exploitation, more specifically to carry out research related to diversity study, subset development, gene discovery and genomics assisted improvement of forages.

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:

• Plans, coordinates and implements experimental activities associated with forage diversity analysis under genebank;
• Undertakes advanced bioinformatics analyses of genomic and next-generation sequencing data,
• Reviews relevant literature and develops, optimizes and applies new ideas, genomic methods and techniques in forage diversity analysis;
• Makes contribution to resource mobilization opportunities by developing concept note and proposals,
• Compiles results on the research conducted, maintains databases and reports findings through both written, both formal and informal, and oral presentations;
• Supervises, trains and mentors technical staff, students, temporary staff and consultants, and, provides technical training to other team members as required;
• Develop and implement Standard-Operating Procedures (SOPs), risk-management planning and other elements of the Quality-Management System;
• Capacity development of internal and external stakeholders, including provision of technical backstopping and training on forage diversity analysis.
• Contributes to budgeting, planning and management of physical and financial resources for the implementation of multiple research activities, including preparation of requisitions and expenditure reports.
• Abides by, and ensures that team members abide by, all relevant guidelines, policies and regulations and maintains a clean and safe work environment in the field and laboratory.

Academic and professional qualifications:

Education:

• Master’s degree in plant molecular biology, Plant Genetics, Plant breeding or a related area

Experience:

• Three years hands-on laboratory experience in plant molecular biology, together with a working knowledge of bioinformatics and the analysis of next-generation sequencing data.
• Track record on report writing and publications

Skills:

• Experience of using molecular techniques such as DNA extraction and quantification, PCR, gel electrophoresis
• Experience in field trial design and experimentation
• Experience with laboratory organization, supervision and optimization of workflows
• Experience of genetic and genomic data analysis using R and other statistical software’s
• Good communication skills in English
• Good interpersonal skills
• Careful
• Accurate
• Reliable and honest
• Punctual

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Grade: HG 13

Minimum Base Salary: USD 752 per month

Terms of appointment:

This is a National Staff (NS) position, initial appointment is for one year 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/LGFNR/014/26 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 8 July 2026.

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.