Job Vacancy at International Potato Center

About the role

The successful candidate will support the daily operations of the Food and Nutritional Evaluation Laboratory (FANEL), Nutrition and Food Safety Platform, Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) research hub at the campus of the International Livestock Research Institute). The position involves extensive interdisciplinary collaboration with crop scientists and crop modeling experts and with partners in other collaborating institutions. The position reports to the Regional Food Scientist and is based at Nairobi, Kenya.

Key responsibilities:

• Assist with operational management the Food and Nutritional Evaluation laboratory (FANEL).
• Develop new methods and keep current methods up to standards, assure quality assurance, contribute scientifically to the work.
• Develop and conduct acceptability studies with RTB and biofortified crops
• Generate sensory and consumer data: be at ease with discriminative and descriptive sensory methods, design quantitative consumer tests, conduct qualitative consumer research.
• Effectively utilize sensory and consumer data to guide the product development process and breeding programs.
• Development of new food products and food recipes with RTB and biofortified crops
• Develop and conduct retention studies with biofortified crops
• Supervise students on thesis research topics of relevance to RTB and biofortified crops food science program.
• Participate in nutrition and food science professional forums in sub-Saharan Africa
• Contribute to project reports and publish relevant findings on a timely basis.

What are we looking for?

• PhD degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutritional Biochemistry or related subjects
• Minimum one -year work experience in a nutritional analysis research environment
• Good understanding of analytical instruments such as HPLC, LC/MS, GC/MS and ICP.
• Strong background in food product development and sensory profiling and analysis
• Advanced skills in Sensory & Consumer Insights (SCI) methodologies and data analysis: training in qualitative research methods, sensory tools and expertise in statistics
• Skills and good knowledge of food microbiology and food safety
• Experience working with starch chemistry or product development.
• Experience in with food industry and fund raising.
• Willingness to travel within the region.
• Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team/project and multicultural environment.
• Excellent communications skills in English is required.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

• CIP is an international organization that has a strong, state-of-the-art R&D background.
• CIP scientists are recent World Food Price Winners, and CIP has been recently awarded the Al-Sumait Award for our Orange Flesh Sweet Potato work in Africa.
• CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved nutrition and well-being, and gender equality for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world.
• CIP is a member of the CGIAR, a network of 15 research centers that are mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

What are we offering?

• Great career opportunity in an international organization.
• Salary is internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive international insurance coverage.
• Attractive retirement plan.
• Two-year term contract with the possibility of renewal.
• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.