Research Officer I -Africa Dairy Genetics at International Rescue Committee

Job Description

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Officer to provide technical input and support in quantitative data related to animal genetic resources compilation, safe storage, and analyses of the data collected and collated. ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide technical input and support in quantitative data related to animal genetic resources compilation, safe storage, and analyses of the data collected and collated.
2. Provide support in management, processing and use of livestock databases and data.
3. Contribute to developing and testing platforms for sourcing and collating livestock production information from diverse farming systems
4. Develop and implement both quantitative and qualitative surveys
5. Data analysis, synthesis and reporting
6. Contribute to research outputs and scientific reporting related to livestock genetics and breeding information in project countries under supervision of scientists.
7. Develop training materials and contribute to capacity building of stakeholders in the livestock sector

Requirements

1. Master’s degree in animal genetics with good working knowledge of common software for  genetic  analysis or Master’s degree in statistics related to biological systems
2. Three years in a related or similar position
3. Good Knowledge of statistical analysis
4. Experience with computer software for quantitative data analyses such as R, Fortran, or C.
5. General knowledge of livestock production systems in developing countries, and Research for development approaches
6. Experience with working with large data
7. Some foundation in bioinformatics –ability to do admixture analysis, QA for genotypes using PLINK or other related software, analysis population structure will be an advantage
8. Experience in analysis, synthesis and reporting of data collected from participatory surveys, preferably both quantitative and qualitative
9. Ability to perform desk (literature) reviews and produce high-quality written material in English

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 13. The position is a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical and other insurances