Postdoctoral Fellow - Cowpea Physiologist at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Job ID: DDG-R4D/PF/CP/06/25

Job Summary

• The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Postdoctoral Fellow – Cowpea Physiologist.
• The purpose of the position is to provide physiological knowledge support to cowpea breeders.
• The position requires both internal (within IITA) and external (with NARS partners) interactions.
• The successful candidate is expected to contribute to developing climate-resilient cowpea varieties.

Position Responsibilities 

• Establish efficient field and screen house phenotyping methodologies for heat and drought tolerance in cowpea.
• Identify cultivated and cross-compatible wild cowpea genotypes with drought and heat tolerance.
• Investigate the physiological basis for drought and heat tolerance and adaptation mechanisms in cowpea.
• Contribute to the understanding of genetic basis for drought and heat tolerance and identification of associated QTLs.
• Collaborate with breeders and molecular scientists to link physiological traits with QTLs/markers and advance their deployment in selection schemes.
• Contribute to resource mobilization and strengthening of NARS partners’ capacity in physiology.
• Provide guidance and direction to national staff.
• Publish research results in reputable international journals.
• Co-supervise research of postgraduate students. 

Educational Qualifications 

• The candidate should preferably have a PhD degree in Crop Physiology or a related field.
• The candidate should have experience in Cowpea Research.

Core Competencies:

• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of advanced statistical tools and database management.
• Ability to work in an office environment and mostly to conduct field and screen-house work is required.
• Excellent spoken and written English. Ability to communicate in French is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.