CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. CIMMYT is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Senior Scientist to lead research on wheat rust resistance and pathology within the Global Wheat Program. The successful candidate will guide and coordinate integrated research efforts aimed at understanding and enhancing wheat rust resistance, including dissecting the genetic basis of resistance and advancing durable rust-resistant germplasm. The role requires close collaboration with wheat breeders to ensure the effective deployment of rust resistance in breeding pipelines across diverse target regions. Responsibilities include scientific engagement with international research partners; coordination of field and greenhouse phenotyping; coordination of major screening platforms and rusts surveillance activities; and contributing to molecular genetics research and data-driven breeding decisions. The positions will be based at CIMMYT’s Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya with regular national and international travel required.
Specific duties:
• Global Rust Surveillance & Early Warning: Lead and coordinate global wheat rust pathogen surveillance and race characterization, tracking the emergence and spread of virulent races across regions to provide timely early-warning information for breeding programs and national partners.
• Strategic Research and Phenotyping Leadership: Provide strategic oversight of rust screening, phenotyping, and data-generation platforms across CIMMYT’s international research stations and partner sites, ensuring standardized, high-throughput, and high-quality data to support breeding decisions.
• Project Leadership and Resource Mobilization: Lead the design and execution of large, multi-country research projects; proactively mobilize resources through competitive grant development; and ensure effective financial and milestone management.
• Global Partnerships and Network Leadership: Actively lead and strengthen international rust research and surveillance networks, fostering strategic collaborations with national agricultural research systems, advanced research institutes, and regional platforms.
•Advanced Genetics and Resistance Discovery: Drive the application of modern genetic and genomic tools (e.g. GWAS, QTL mapping, genomic prediction) to dissect complex rust resistance traits and accelerate the development of germplasm with durable and diverse resistance.
• Breeding Pipeline Integration: Provide high-level technical leadership to bread and durum wheat pre-breeding and breeding programs, ensuring effective deployment and stewardship of rust resistance genes across global breeding pipelines.
• Capacity Building and Mentorship: Build institutional and partner capacity through mentoring of early-career scientists and graduate students, and by strengthening technical capabilities of national partners in rust surveillance, phenotyping, and resistance breeding.
• Scientific Leadership and Representation: Maintain an internationally recognized publication record and represent CIMMYT’s wheat rust research at major scientific forums, policy dialogues, and global agricultural platforms.
•PhD in plant pathology with strong expertise in genetics and plant breeding, or PhD in plant breeding with a demonstrated focus on wheat rust resistance.
• Minimum of 5 years post-PhD experience in wheat rust research, with a proven record of scientific productivity, international leadership, and management of complex, multi-country research initiatives.
• Extensive experience in wheat rust epidemiology and global pathogen surveillance, combined with hands-on expertise in rust phenotyping under field and controlled (greenhouse) conditions.
• Strong expertise in molecular genetics, statistical analysis, and management of large genotype–phenotype datasets. Proficiency with analytical tools such as R, TASSEL, GAPIT, R/qtl, or equivalent platforms is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated commitment to scientific rigor and data-driven research, supported by a strong publication record in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven success in securing and managing competitive external research funding, with the ability to articulate scientific value and impact to donors and stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing interdisciplinary and multicultural teams, building consensus across international partnerships, and aligning wheat rust research with global food security priorities.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with scientific, donor, and policy audiences.
• Experience engaging with national programs, policymakers, or regional platforms to translate research outputs into adoption and impact.
The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, Client Orientation, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and Team Leadership.
The position is for an initial fixed term for three (3) years, with one year of probatory period, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.
Applications must include a CV with contact details (telephone and email address) of 3 work-related references along with the confirmation that Recruitment can contact them) and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.