The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), a non-profit research, breeding and training organization, is seeking innovative, self-motivated, scientifically outstanding candidates for the position of 'Crop Informatics Specialist - Wheat'. The position will be based at CIMMYT's main campus located 45 km northeast of Mexico City (Mexico) and will be initially for three years, with opportunities for continuation depending on performance. The position will be appointed at a level appropriate to the experience of the selected candidate and will report to the Head of the Crop Research Informatics Lab (CRIL) ? an IRRI-CIMMYT Alliance project within the Genetics Resources and Enhancement Unit (GREU). The 'Crop Informatics Specialist - Wheat' will collaborate closely with the 'Crop Informatics Specialist - Maize' on issues related to the implementation and data curation of the ICIS/IWIS3 database and with other scientists in CRIL at CIMMYT and IRRI, plus scientists in the Global Wheat Program, Wheat Genetic Resources and Enhancement group and Applied Biotechnology Center.

The primary responsibilities of the position will be to:
- Work with the community of crop and information specialists developing the public, open source International Crop Information System (ICIS) to assess existing data models, schemata and components, identify any improvements required to support user requirements of wheat scientists and implement those improvements.
- Upgrade data integration tools for molecular, phenotypic and environmental information, upgrade software for and coordinate routine curation and management of phenotype and genotype data from wheat breeding programs.
- Manage a web portal for all relevant information associated with germplasm being used in and developed by CIMMYT wheat breeding programs.
- Coordinate the global integration of all historical phenotype, pedigree and genotype data from CIMMYT wheat breeding programs into a single database.
- Work with the simulation and modeling specialist to develop molecular breeding decision-support tools based on comprehensively integrated databases.
- Replace, merge or refine existing wheat system components with ICIS, migrate important historical data into ICIS-based systems and deploy them with users in CIMMYT regional breeding programs and national partners.
- Work with crop scientists in the CIMMYT wheat breeding programs to determine the future user requirements for Crop Information Systems, critically assess existing components and devise strategic action plans.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications/ skills:
- Higher qualification in information management, computer science,
plant breeding or other biological science.
- Strong background in information management and computer science.
- Extensive experience with large, diverse data sets.
- Experience with crop research preferably in the areas of genetic
resource management and plant breeding.
- Interest in international agricultural research and development.
- Good communication, organizational and inter-personal skills.
- Proficiency of spoken and written English

Experience in any of the following areas would be considered an asset:
- Systems analysis, database design and programming.
- Familiarity with molecular breeding techniques
- Experience in experimental design and biometrical analyses
- Knowledge of evaluation and utilization of genetic resources for
development of improved germplasm
- Experience in international collaborative research projects
- Ability to work well as part of multidisciplinary decentralized teams
- Ability to speak Spanish or willingness to learn Good publication record in international journals
or good intermediate product outputs in the private sector

CIMMYT ( www.cimmyt.cgiar.org ) is an internationally funded, non-profit research and training organization affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR, www.cgiar.org ) and has an annual budget of approximately US$40 million. CIMMYT's mission is to help the poor in the developing world by increasing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of maize and wheat-based cropping systems while protecting natural resources. The Center is a global leader in scientific research and training related to maize and wheat, and in biotechnology, economics, and natural resource management research. These activities are conducted in partnership with national agricultural research systems, non-governmental organizations, and advanced research institutions, both public and private, in globally focused projects and programs. CIMMYT employs 617 permanent staff and operates in a decentralized partnership mode, having staff in 13 countries with projects and partnership networks in many more.

The Genetic Resources and Enhancement Unit (GREU) at CIMMYT is comprised of around 20 scientists from a range of disciplines including germplasm conservation, genomics, transgenics, bioinformatics, interspecific hybridization, biometrics and germplasm enhancement who work in holistic trait-targeted teams including specialists in physiology, pathology, entomology, biotechnology and plant breeding. Primary trait priorities in the global wheat program include drought and heat tolerance, yield potential, pest and disease resistance, grain quality and agronomic traits.

CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (to Grade 12), home leave, retirement fund and relocation shipping allowance. The CIMMYT campus has recreational and sports facilities and offers transportation to international schools in Mexico City. Good housing is available on and off campus, in and outside Mexico City.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Please send via e-mail your letter of application no later than 20th June, 2008, CV/Resume (including full contact information), names and contact information of three references, cover letter indicating your reasons for applying and strengths for the position, plus a one page description and justification of key research activities that you would like to carry out through this position, to:

Human Resources Manager, CIMMYT
(Reference 2008/06)
Email: jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org

For further information contact Dr. Graham McLaren, Head, CRIL, ( g.mclaren@cgiar.org ), or Dr. Jonathan Crouch, Director, Germplasm Resources & Enhancement Unit ( j.crouch@cgiar.org ).