Postdoctoral Fellow, Plant Virologist (Ref No: DDG-R4D/PDF/PV/01/23) 

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Postdoctoral Fellow, Plant Virologist.    

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food-secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information about IITA. 

IITA is partnering with the United Kingdom’s Imperial College on a project which aims to develop a low-cost and easy-to-use disposable digital diagnostic platform for detecting plant viruses in the field to enable broad-scale crop disease surveillance. The technology being developed is a wireless and batteryless, near-field communication (NFC)-based chemicallyamplified electrochemical lateral flow assay. Prototypes of this diagnostic tool will aim to detect viruses causing cassava brown streak disease and maize lethal necrosis, and these will be tested in the field in East Africa. The post-doctoral fellow to be hired will conduct the virological research required to develop and validate the device.

Position Responsibilities  

The Postdoctoral Fellow will undertake the following tasks:

• Develop methods for user-friendly in-field and low-cost sample preparation methods for the preparation of plant samples for molecular diagnostics.
• Validate these sample preparation methods for NFC-eLFA, laboratory-based ELISA, and (RT) PCR to further study the overall performance of the entire system in the laboratory setting.
• Conduct field testing of the NFC-eLFA in western Tanzania and eastern DR Congo and compare results with those obtained in the centralized laboratory at IITA-Tanzania.
• Conduct training of local extension officers and cassava seed entrepreneurs to test the NFC-eLFA in the field.
• Incorporate the NFC-eLFA device into regular surveillance activities, focused on western Tanzania, eastern DRC and northern Zambia, to monitor changes in incidence and severity of CBSD and maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) over time and identify worst affected areas and those most threatened by new spread.
• Compare and contrast the NFC-eLFA device with standard methods currently used for diagnostics of cassava brown streak viruses and viruses associated with MLND.
• Review existing virus testing methods and develop new/update diagnostic methods.
• Manage the molecular biology laboratory at IITA-Dar es Salaam and provide lab and diagnostic services, where required, for breeding and seed production activities.
• Document and publish results of the experiments in peer-reviewed publications and other appropriate formats.
• Contribute to the development of project proposals.
• Participate in planning of future strategies for business development, high-volume manufacturing and global distribution of NFC-eLFA type assays targeting a broad range of diseases including but not limited to MLN and CBSD.
• Perform other job-related duties as may be assigned by your supervisor.

Educational Qualifications 

The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Plant Virology or a closely related field from a highly recognized university with two to three years of work experience in a similar role, preferably in an international non-profit & non-governmental setting.

Core Competencies

• Experience with proven ability to design and execute scientifically rigorous experiments.
• Ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts and data to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Experience and knowledge in laboratory safe practices and proper handling and disposal of laboratory waste.
• Demonstrated experience in the field, screen-house, and laboratory studies.
• Proven track record of scientific publications in high quality scientific journals.
• Experience in a multidisciplinary research organization and cross-cultural environment, preferably in a not-for-profit organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are essential. Ability to communicate in Swahili will be an added advantage.
• Highly effective planning, organizational, and multi‐tasking skills with a positive attitude and strong administrative service orientation.

Duty Station: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of two years. IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in US Dollars.  

Applications: Applications must include a cover letter, which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head of Human Resources. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers 

Closing Date: 24^th January 2023 

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, particularly welcoming applications from women.

While all applications will be acknowledged, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.