Temporary Laboratory Assistant – CIMMYT at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Duties and responsibilities

Field Operations.

• Assist in planning, establishment, and management of nurseries and field trials
• Assist in optimizing the agromnomic management and developing efficient protocols
• Support in monitoring plant health and implementation of pest and disease management practices
• Assist in phenotyping, trait scoring, and accurate field data collection
• Assist in harvesting and post-harvest activities, including seed handling and processing
• Support optimal management of field facilities and equipment (e.g., irrigation systems, sprayers).

Greenhouse Operations.

• Support operation and maintenance of greenhouses, screenhouses, and growth chambers
• Assist in planting, crop management, and routine greenhouse activities
• Assist in seedling handling and preparation for specialized activities (e.g., chromosome doubling)
• Ensure proper labeling, tracking, and maintenance of plant materials.

Laboratory Operations.

• Assist in seed/plant sampling, preparation, and processing
• Support seed sorting activities (e.g., haploid vs. diploid classification)
• Assist in sample preparation for laboratory analyses (e.g., genotyping, seed health testing)
• Support routine laboratory procedures and experimental activities.

General operations.

• Assist in research facility management, including keeping the facilities clean and neat and maintaining inventory of capital (CAPEX) and non-capital items
• Support procurement and inventory management of consumables and supplies
• Assist in equipment maintenance and ensure operational readiness
• Support recruitment and coordination of casual labor in consultation with the station manager
• Ensure timely availability of required materials, supplies, and labor.

Data Management and Reporting.

• Assist in maintaining accurate and well-organized records across field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities
• Assist in ensuring proper labeling, documentation, storage and traceability of plant and seed materials while ensuring quality control at each stage
• Assist in supporting timely data entry, validation, and reporting
• Use germplasm and data management systems (e.g., EBS) for generating seed stock names, codes and lables etc. and tracking the materials.

Compliance and Safety.

• Follow safety protocols in field, greenhouse, and laboratory environments
• Assist in ensuring proper handling, storage, and disposal of chemical and biological materials
• Comply with institutional, biosafety, and regulatory guidelines.

Requirements

• Diploma/Bachelors degree in Agriculture, Plant Science, or related field.
• Experience in field crop management.
• Experience in lab and greenhouse operations.