Research Assistant (Crops, Nutrition & Climate Change)
Ireland-Africa Plant and AgriBiosciences
Research for Development
Plant and AgriBiosciences Research Centre (PABC),
National University of Ireland, Galway.
Ref. No. NUIG 80-13
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full time fixed term
position for 1 year as a Research Assistant in the NUI Galway Plant and
AgriBiosciences Research Centre (PABC) at the National University of Ireland,
Galway.
The CCAFS-CIAT-NUI Galway partnership will conduct agricultural crop research for
development research and training to facilitate more sustainable and climate-resilient
nutrition of rural women smallholders through development, dissemination and
utilization of drought-tolerant bean varieties with enhanced micronutrient content.
Job Description:
The successful candidate will conduct plant and nutritional research and play a
significant resource mobilization role in the start-up phase of the program. They will
engage in research design and implementation, particularly in relation to:
(a) Identification of barriers and development of strategies/partnerships to scale up
access of female smallholders, mothers and children to micronutrient biofortified
drought-tolerant bean varieties in Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa;
(b) Leveraging dissemination and adoption of CIAT/PABRA micronutrient enriched
bean varieties for improved nutritional outcomes;
(c) Development of high micronutrient bean-derived weaning foods, snacks and
beverage value chains that can improve the nutritional status of poorer rural children,
mothers and female smallholders.
(d) Conduct research on maternal/child nutrition and climate-proofing of smallholder
crop systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Location: This position will be based between NUI Galway and partner research
sites in Sub-Saharan Africa (Malawi).
Qualifications:
PhD or Masters degree of relevance to crop nutritional composition, crop
improvement, dietary nutrition (especially maternal and child), biofortification and
agricultural research for development.
Desirable criteria
 Evidence of resource mobilisation capabilities
 Strong research and proposal writing ability and strong IT/website skills and
strong publication record of relevance to crop nutritional composition, dietary
nutrition, staple crop biofortification and agricultural research in developing
countries.
 Demonstrated understanding of interplay between climate change, nutrition,
gender and agriculture in developing countries and associated priority
research questions/opportunities
 The ideal candidate should have excellent research, communication and
organizational skills; be able to work in a team, be highly motivated and
passionate about international development and the development of new
innovations; be focused on impact pathways, and have strong documentation,
oral and interpersonal skills.
Salary: €30,200 fixed salary per annum
Start date: This position is expected to commence mid Oct 2013
Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research
at NUI Galway
Further information on the NUI Galway Plant and AgriBiosciences Research Centre
is available at www.plantagbiosciences.org
To Apply: Applications to include a covering letter outlining your research
experience and motivations briefly within 300 words, a full C.V. (please list
publications, research experience, and experimental skills) and the email and
telephone contact details for 3 referees via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to
charles.spillane@nuigalway.ie
Please put reference number NUIG 80-13 in subject line of e-mail application.
National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 17.00 (GMT)
Thursday, 26th September 2013.