Scientist I - Hybrid Rice Breeding

The Rice Breeding Innovations Department will develop and deploy innovative breeding strategies, tools, and technologies to sustainably enhance the genetic potential of rice for yield and its ability to tolerate biotic and abiotic stresses while improving the grain/nutritional quality; and helping disseminate the new products faster to farmers by working closely with our NARES partners. 

The position requires a leading role in conducting the breeding activities of the hybrid rice breeding pipelines in India. Developing the hybrid breeding program, and aligning it to the OneRice Breeding strategy establishing stronger and sustainable ties with the NARES network partners with a special focus on the deliverables of the IRRI-JNKVV project in India are the key responsibilities. The position also critically requires him/her to secure funding support for the hybrid rice breeding activities in India closely working with the Hybrid Rice Breeding Lead at the IRRI HQ. The position requires strong knowledge of hybrid breeding, quantitative genetics, and modern data-driven decisions to help in the capacity development of NARES partners. This is to be achieved in working closely with the biometrics lead, phenotyping scientists, and trait introgression scientists from IRRI-HQ, ISARC, and SAH, India, to optimize the hybrid rice breeding pipelines for the Indian markets. Expertise in hybrid rice breeding and genetics and phenotyping of germplasm under challenging environments. Extensive hands-on experience in hybrid rice seed production. Expertise in advanced quantitative genetics, prediction breeding, data analysis, and simulation work using R. Knowledge of genetic mapping of traits and plant breeding software is required. The position requires expertise in effectively engaging with the NARES partners and closer involvement in capacity-building programs. Capability and demonstrated experience to train scholars and lead the associate researchers in the team are highly required.  

This position will be based at the JNKVV Campus, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India and is open for international applications.

• Lead the hybrid breeding activities in close cooperation with the JNKVV hybrid breeding team at the IRRI-JNKVV campus, Jabalpur in full alignment with the hybrid rice program at IRRI HQ following the OneRice Breeding strategy.
• Work closely with IRRI-hybrid rice breeding Lead to secure funding and build the team at IRRI Office in JNKVV campus and NARES network partners to support the hybrid rice breeding activities in India.
• Develop the infrastructure and required germplasm for the hybrid breeding pipeline and support the network activities of the overall hybrid breeding pipelines in India with a special focus on Madhya Pradesh.
• Breeding optimization and modernization of hybrid breeding pipeline through modern tools and quantitative genetics approaches
• Engage with the NARES partners in trial establishment, advancement, and breeding decisions of all the hybrid breeding pipelines
• Take a proactive role and responsibility for capacity development and training of the NARES partners along with the ISARC and SAH scientists for creating a strong IRRI-NARES network in India for the hybrid breeding pipelines.
• Ready to travel widely within Madhya Pradesh and India to monitor the hybrid breeding trials and activities
• Training scholars, graduate students, researchers, and visiting scientists in close working with the lead scientist from IRRI-HQ
• Actively participate in the strategic planning and high-level decisions on policies and strategies with the Hybrid Rice Breeding Lead/supervisor and HRTSI cluster leadership from HQ.
• Contribute to scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and strategic documents, highlighting research findings to reflect/showcase IRRI’s hybrid rice research.
• Active engagement with the hybrid rice breeding lead of the HRTSI Unit from IRRI-HQ to deliver on hybrid breeding pipelines’ key activities and goals.
• Engagement and coordination with the hybrid breeding lead in managing all the project and breeding activities from the IRRI Office at the JNKVV Campus. India for all the assigned hybrid breeding pipelines.
• Strong involvement with the NARES partners strengthens collaboration, network, and capacity development.
• Strong involvement in building effective and new collaborations and partnerships with rice researchers across India for the late maturity pipeline.
• Coordinate closely with the HRTSI cluster lead, GRS regional lead, NRS support staff, and GRS staff at IRRI HQ for strategic planning and advice.
• Delivery of the improved breeding materials for the hybrid rice breeding pipelines for India and demonstration of enhanced genetic gains in alignment with the OneRice breeding strategy.
• Strengthening the IRRI-NARES network for the hybrid rice breeding pipelines.
• Demonstrate the development of robust phenotypic screening procedures and protocols for salinity, submergence, and flooding traits for the climate resilient-hybrid rice breeding pipelines in India. 
• Demonstration of leadership and management qualities in managing the teams and working with the JNKVV and regional teams. 
• Demonstrate collaborations, and partnerships and secure the external grants and funds for supporting the breeding program.
• Effective communication of scientific outputs and publishing in peer-reviewed journals

• 2-3 years’ experience at Post-doctoral Fellow level; or
• 2-5 years post PhD relevant work experience for external candidates with hybrid rice breeding, molecular breeding, quantitative genetics, phenotyping for climate-resilient and nutritional traits

Mandatory

• Advanced molecular breeding techniques and predictive breeding
• Breeding simulations and optimization of hybrid rice breeding program
• Experience in handling hybrid rice breeding programs
• Knowledge and skills in genomic selection and applied quantitative genetics.
• In-depth knowledge of extensive phenotypic screening for abiotic stresses
• Expert in R language, QTL mapping, and statistical software.
  
• Proven ability to perform in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills

Preferred

• Experience in hybrid rice research and seed production, dealing with multiple abiotic stresses, and experience in handling NARES breeding network partners, knowledge on genomic selections and quantitative genetics, skills in advanced knowledge in R script, and mixed model analysis will be preferable.

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.