Consultant – Lab Assistant

The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

The Alliance works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.
About the position

Located at Hanoi hub, under the direct supervision of the Associate Member of Staff, the incumbent will provide efficient and effective support to the microbiology and molecular biology laboratories.

Key duties & responsibilities

• Preparing culture media, isolating and cultivating fungal isolates from samples of both soils and roots;
• Performing DNA extractions of root, leaf and soil samples for further analysis in amplicon Illumina sequencing;
• Analysis of nodules of legume species to assess rhizobia occupancy, isolation and purification of the rhizobial strains;
• Running inoculation experiments under controlled conditions (plant growth chamber and greenhouse) to assess effectiveness of rhizobial strains.

Required qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology or molecular biology with a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience in soil, agriculture or environmental science;
• Basic knowledge of laboratory techniques (culture and purification of microorganisms, DNA extraction, PCR);
• Good computer skills, especially with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Windows, and in internet-based communications;
• Good command of the English language is desirable, both written and spoken;  
• Strong interpersonal, communications and teamwork skills; courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different cultural and national backgrounds;
• Well-developed skills in personal organization, priority setting, problem solving, accuracy, high attention to details;  
• Ability to work with significant independence within assigned areas; Dynamic and self-motivated character, willingness to up skill as required by the tasks to be performed.

Terms of contract

This position will be engaged in a 7-month contract and may be renewed depending on performance and availability of funds.

The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications

Please send applications to Dr. Didier Lesueur ([email protected]) with the subject line: Lab Assistant. In your email, please include:

1. A cover letter illustrating your motivation to apply and suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications and work responsibilities, and
2. A detailed Curriculum Vitae.

Applications closing date: November 20, 2024

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:
http://alliancebioversityciat.org