Internship - Molecular Breeder

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture(ICBA) is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ICBA is a unique applied agricultural research center in the world that is focused on marginal areas where an estimated 1.7 billion people live. It identifies, tests and introduces resource-efficient, climate-smart crops and technologies that are best suited to different regions affected by salinity, water scarcity and drought. Through its work, ICBA helps to improve food security and livelihoods for some of the poorest rural communities around the world. ICBA is an equal opportunity employer and appoints qualified staff regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, religion or national origin. We demonstrate our commitment to each member of our team through a competitive benefits package designed to assist our employees to cover their needs and the needs of their immediate family members.

Job Summary

The intern will support ICBA’s crop breeding program through actively participating in the field and lab activities for genetic improvement of the quinoa and other crop plants. Specifically, this will include crossing block management, crossing, generation advancement, phenotypic plant selection, hybridity testing, harvesting, post-harvest management etc.

Job Responsibilities
  1. Perform plant breeding selection from the segregating generations with the ICBA’s breeding team.
  2. To manage plants/ plant population(s) in field and green house conditions.
  3. To record phenotypic data of plants/ plant population(s) in field and green house.
  4. To perform documentation of quinoa and/other crop plants through maintaining records, pictures, and other possible means.
  5. To assist in the crossing program of amaranth in the ICBA’s shuttle breeding program
  6. To perform seed germination experiment in way to test it’s viability of Salicornia genotypes under varying environmental conditions
  7. Harvesting and post-harvest management of seeds of breeding populations for the ICBA’s shuttle breeding program.
  8. Perform other tasks as required in shuttle breeding/ molecular breeding of quinoa.
Qualifications and Experience
  • Master’s in plant breeding/ biotechnology or allied fields.
  • Previous experience in plant breeding / biotechnology is desirable
  • Proficiency in English, written and spoken
  • Proficiency in Arabic desirable
  • Advanced computer skills

Other Skills and Competencies

  • Plant breeding activities
  • Analytical skills in molecular breeding and biotechnology
  • Handling large-scale data sets, data compilation and report writing
  • Superior interpersonal and networking skills
  • Results-driven, problem-solving, innovative, and able to work on own initiative
  • Ability to multi-task and improve efficiencies in own field of work
  • Professional, dynamic, and proactive attitude
Post Date
21 January 2022
Status
Closed
Vacancy Type
Internship
Closing Date
open until filled
Closing Date
21 February 2022
Location
Dubai, UAE
Report To
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Job Number
NA
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