Job Vacancies at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

DUTIES: 

BSL-2 Laboratory Operations (30%)

• Manage daily operations of the biosafety laboratory supporting CASS3 activities.

• Ensure compliance with approved biosafety procedures, SOPs, and institutional regulations.

Molecular and Tissue Culture Activities (30%)

• Conduct molecular breeding activities including sample processing, DNA extraction, genotyping, and data analysis using approved SOPs.
• Carry out tissue culture activities including media preparation, sub-culturing, and hardening of plantlets linked to CASS3 regulated materials.

Sample Handling, Data, and Reporting (20%)

• Support collection, organization, and analysis of laboratory data generated from CASS3 research activities.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and prepare regular reports on laboratory activities and outputs.

Coordination and Compliance Support (10%)

• Coordinate with breeding, field, and biosafety teams to ensure smooth laboratory-to-field workflows.
• Support inspections, audits, and compliance checks related to biosafety laboratories.

General Support (10%)

• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION:

• BSc/HND in Biochemistry, Laboratory Science or any other related courses. The ideal candidate must have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience performing a similar role in a well-structured environment.

COMPETENCIES:

The ideal candidate must:

• Have strong knowledge of laboratory biosafety procedures.
• Be experienced with tissue culture and molecular laboratory techniques.
• Possess good data recording, organization, and reporting skills.
• Be able to work independently and manage multiple laboratory tasks.

go to method of application »

DUTIES: 

Confined Field Trial Implementation (30%).

• Receive, document, and manage transgenic cassava plantlets from tissue culture laboratories.
• Oversee acclimatization, hardening, and vegetative multiplication (including SAH) of transgenic materials.
• Coordinate field planting of confined field trials in line with approved trial designs and biosafety permits.
• Outcome: Properly established confined field trials complaint with biosafety and experimental protocols.

Trial Management & Agronomy (25%)

• Supervise all agronomic operations throughout the growing season (planting, fertilization, weed control, pest management).
• Ensure adherence to confined field trial procedures and institutional biosafety requirements.
• Coordinate harvest operations and regulated disposal of transgenic materials.
• Outcome: Healthy, well-managed trials with full compliance and minimal operational risk.

Data Management & Digital Systems (25%)

• Establish field trial designs using Cassavabase.
• Create and manage FieldBook templates for all data collection activities.
• Supervise and conduct field data collection using FieldBook.
• Validate, upload, and curate trial datasets in Cassavabase.
• Outcome: Complete, accurate, and timely trial datasets available for analysis and reporting.

Facilities & Operations Oversight (10%)

• Manage confined trial nursery and field facilities, equipment functionality, and consumables.
• Monitor and document plant survival rates across propagation and field stages.
• Outcome: Functional facilities and reliable operational records supporting audits and reporting.

Supervision & Coordination (10%)

• Provide day to day technical supervision to field and nursery staff supporting confined trials.
• Coordinate daily implementation activities across nursery and field operations.
• Coordinated efficient task execution and team performance.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION:

• BSc/HND in Crop Science, Agriculture or any other related courses. The ideal candidate must have minimum of two (2) years’ experience performing similar role in a well-structured environment.

COMPETENCIES:

The ideal candidate must:

• Have knowledge of field trial establishment and agronomic practices.
• Be experienced with digital data collection tools (FieldBook).
• Be familiar with Cassava-base or similar breeding databases.
• Have an understanding of biosafety and confined field trial procedures.
• Possess supervisory and coordination skills.
• Have strong attention to details and record keeping.

go to method of application »

DUTIES: 

Nursery and Propagation Support (25%)

• Support acclimatization, hardening, and vegetative multiplication of cassava planting materials, including SAH-derived materials.
• Assist with preparation and maintenance of nursery facilities for confined trials.

Field Establishment and Maintenance (35%)

• Execute field planting and plot maintenance activities for confined field trials.
• Carry out routine agronomic operations including weeding, spraying, fertilizer application, and general field upkeep.

Labour Coordination and Field Logistics (20%)

• Coordinate and supervise casual labour for routine and peak field operations (planting, weeding, harvesting).
• Support scheduling and timely execution of labour-intensive activities.

Harvest and Post-Harvest Support (10%)

• Participate in harvest operations under supervision.
• Support post-harvest handling and regulated disposal activities for confined field trials.

Compliance and Operational Support (10%)

• Support adherence to confined field trial and biosafety procedures during routine operations.
• Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of trial sites, nurseries, and work areas.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other job-related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION:

• O’Level Certificate with a minimum of (6) years’ experience or National Diploma in Agriculture or any other related courses with a minimum of (2) years’ experience performing a similar role in a well-structured environment.

COMPETENCIES:

The ideal candidate must:

• Have practical knowledge of field and nursery operations.
• Possess the ability to coordinate and supervise casual labour.
• Be familiar with routine agronomic practices (spraying, weeding).
• Have an understanding of compliance and safety procedures.
• Be detail-oriented, reliable, and physically capable.