Research Supervisor at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture - IITA

Description
• Receive planting, crossing, harvesting and seed processing instructions from scientists and ensure implementation of planned activities in different locations;
• Coordinate all field operations, including seed preparation, planting, thinning shoot covering, and pollination in crossing blocks and multiplication fields of open-pollinated varieties, inbred lines and hybrids at Ibadan under rain-fed and irrigated conditions;
• Exact S1 lines from broad-based populations and composites for progeny testing in different locations and recombine the selected materials;
• Make requests for required field tags as well as pollination and glassine bags for various crossing blocks at Ibadan;
• Review availability of open-pollinated maize varieties, hybrids, and inbred lines for regional trials;
• coordinate and plan isolation of breeder seed production fields;
• Conduct annual inventory of seeds of open-pollinated maize varieties, inbred lines and hybrids and update on seed availability;
• Coordinate labor allocation for thinning, shoot covering, pollination, harvesting, threshing, and seed preparation throughout the year.
• Supervise the prepare all trials and nurseries targeted for testing at Abuja Bagauda, Ikenne and Mokwa, Saminka,Zaria;
• Supervise the preparation of regional trials of open-pollinated varieties and inbred lines and hybrids for distribution to collaborators in and outside of West and Central Africa.
• Prepare seeds for storage in the cold rooms and take inventory of the quantity of seeds of inbred lines and hybrids available in the cold store;
• Prepare seeds of inbred lines and hybrids as well as open-pollinated varieties requested by collaborators for shipment;
• Provide practical training of new staff members working under special projects.
     
Job Description
• Receive planting, crossing, harvesting and seed processing instructions from scientists and ensure implementation of planned activities in different locations;
• Coordinate all field operations, including seed preparation, planting, thinning shoot covering, and pollination in crossing blocks and multiplication fields of open-pollinated varieties, inbred lines and hybrids at Ibadan under rain-fed and irrigated conditions;
• Exact S1 lines from broad-based populations and composites for progeny testing in different locations and recombine the selected materials;
• Make requests for required field tags as well as pollination and glassine bags for various crossing blocks at Ibadan;
• Review availability of open-pollinated maize varieties, hybrids, and inbred lines for regional trials;
• coordinate and plan isolation of breeder seed production fields;
• Conduct annual inventory of seeds of open-pollinated maize varieties, inbred lines and hybrids and update on seed availability;
• Coordinate labor allocation for thinning, shoot covering, pollination, harvesting, threshing, and seed preparation throughout the year.
• Supervise the prepare all trials and nurseries targeted for testing at Abuja Bagauda, Ikenne and Mokwa, Saminka,Zaria;
• Supervise the preparation of regional trials of open-pollinated varieties and inbred lines and hybrids for distribution to collaborators in and outside of West and Central Africa. • Prepare seeds for storage in the cold rooms and take inventory of the quantity of seeds of inbred lines and hybrids available in the cold store;
• Prepare seeds of inbred lines and hybrids as well as open-pollinated varieties requested by collaborators for shipment;
• Provide practical training of new staff members working under special projects.
     
Minimum Qualification & Experience
B.Sc/HND in General Agriculture or related discipline from a reputable research institution with a minimum of 2 years experience on a similar position.
     
Skills & Abilities
• Have basic knowledge of seed processing management
• Have good communication skills
• Be able to perform multiple tasks and work under pressure
• Be able to follow instructions and work independently where necessary