Job Description

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. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.

For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

The Post-Doctoral Fellow will support CIMMYT’s global wheat improvement efforts by developing and implementing innovative hybrid wheat breeding strategies aimed at accelerating genetic gain for grain yield, stress tolerance, grain quality, and other priority traits in wheat. The position contributes to the development and evaluation of hybrid wheat germplasm through integration of modern breeding approaches, including rapid cycling, genomic and phenotypic selection, heterotic grouping, and multi-trait phenotyping. The role works closely with interdisciplinary teams across breeding, pathology, quality, molecular biology, and biometrics to deliver improved hybrid wheat cultivars and strengthen global breeding capacity.

• Implement innovative hybrid wheat breeding strategies to accelerate genetic gain for grain yield potential, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, suitable grain quality, and other priority traits in CIMMYT germplasm
• Apply novel breeding methodologies for heterotic grouping approaches and line conversion for hybrid wheat breeding.
• Work as an integral member of the CIMMYT wheat breeding team, including the development and testing of new hybrid wheat cultivars.
• Contribute across wheat breeding activities, including rapid cycling, phenotypic and genomic selection, and agronomic and disease resistance phenotyping.
• Contribute to phenotypic and genotypic data management and analysis.
• Work across and collaborate with scientists in wheat pathology, quality, molecular biology, and biometrics.
• Support the delivery of high-quality applied wheat training and other capacity development activities with partners and stakeholders in Asia, Africa and Latin America
• Synthesize and present work (scientific and technical findings) as project-related reports and scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to the global wheat community and represent CIMMYT at national and international forums.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor

Requirements

• A recent PhD degree in plant breeding or genetics, with experience in cereal hybrid breeding systems (wheat breeding experience is desirable).
• Strong demonstrated interest in applied field-based plant breeding.
• Be self-driven and demonstrate true commitment to CIMMYT’s mission.
• Statistical skills, knowledge of electronic data collection, databases, data management and interpretation.
• Demonstrated capacity to publish research findings in reputable peer-reviewed journals and to present in scientific and/or technical forums, evaluated through publication and presentation records.

Skills and attitudes

• Desire and ability to work collaboratively, respectfully and inclusively in a diverse, multicultural, multidisciplinary work environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (knowledge of Spanish is desirable)

Core competencies

• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: critical and creative thinking, communication skills, excellent teamwork, client orientation, problem solving and decision making, negotiation and conflict resolution and team leadership.

Benefits

The position is for an initial fixed-term for three (3) years, 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.

Candidates must apply online 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.

Internal applications could be considered in line with internal eligibility guidance, please contact HR for more information.

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.