The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for better and more sustainable use of livestock. ILRI is a CGIAR research centre – part of a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with ILRI, the Roslin Institute, KALRO teams, and other partner organizations to develop, test and deploy the livestock stem cell, genome editing and reproductive technology tools to accelerate genetic gains in tropical livestock, with a primary focus on poultry.
• Develop and sustain research and development collaborations with national systems and regional and international partners in Africa and Southeast Asia to ensure dissemination and uptake of stem cell cloning, cryopreservation, and recovery technology.
• Ensure permanent and sustained connection between ILRI CTLGH/LiveGene programmes, the Roslin Institute and national and regional poultry research and development agendas in Africa and Southeast Asia.
• Support the PI in the design of joint biobanking activities between ILRI , the Roslin Institute and NARS partners, pave the way for their implementation and coordinate the data collection and analysis, regular reporting, and communication with the CTLGH teams at ILRI and The Roslin Institute on the joint activities progress.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings or other public media. preparation of publications such as working papers, policy briefs, technical reports, journal publications, conference papers and presentations at relevant forums.
• Supervise interns, graduate and post-graduate fellows, and visiting scientists on relevant laboratory activities in relation to the CTLGH-LiveGene biobanking programmes.
• Contribute to fieldwork and capacity-building activities of CTLGH/LiveGene
• Participate in relevant biobanking and reproductive technologies committees.
• Oversee and facilitate workshops and site visits to support national systems in establishing PGCs and pluripotent stem cell gene banks in Africa and Southeast Asia.
• Develop and maintain a detailed, searchable database of training delivered to allow measurement of impact and agile learning.
• Report to the ILRI supervisor as required.
• Interact with other members of the research team.
• Contribute to the development of resource mobilisation proposals as appropriate.
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned.

Requirements

• A PhD degree in a relevant discipline is essential.
• Excellent experience with germ cell Isolation, culture, cellular assays/characterization and biobanking.
• Excellent Knowledge and demonstrated successful experience in training trainers and national partners in stem cell and conservation in Africa,
• Be a Research scientist in an African national poultry breeding programme with at least 2 years post-doctoral experience.
• Demonstrated experience in working with a range of National and regional partners in Africa and/or Southeast Asia and developing and maintaining strong partner relations.
• Ability to maintain a database and a monitoring and evaluation framework and reporting system.
• Experience in contributing to and initiating new research projects, including grant and proposal writing.
• Demonstrable experience in collaborating and sharing results with interdisciplinary research teams
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Willingness to travel to a range of partner countries within Africa and elsewhere.
• Excellent spoken and written English. Knowledge of working French and other languages will be considered an advantage.