Associate Scientist - Trait Discovery and Plant Breeding
Job ID:
HQ01923
Location
Philippines
Closing Date
30-Sep-2026
About IRRI
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.
Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.
Job Purpose
The Breeding Innovations and Informatics unit works to deliver new genetics and enabling informatics resources to breeding programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness, particularly of marker-assisted selection.
The Associate Scientist will contribute to the Native Trait Discovery and Deployment team's variety polishing and trait discovery activities, with a primary focus on the management and advancement of introgression populations, including chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) development. The position will lead the planning and implementation of screening and physiological experiments, analyze and interpret research data, and support the application of molecular approaches such as PCR and KASP assays. The role will also contribute to quality assurance, troubleshooting, process improvement, research reporting, and the development of scientific outputs to support the team's research objectives and the delivery of improved rice varieties.
This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and may only be filled by permanent citizens of the Philippines.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Lead and manage introgression processes, particularly the development and advancement of CSSL production as part of the variety polishing and trait discovery activities
- Plan, design, and implement screening and physiological experiments to characterize traits and support breeding decisions.
- Analyze and interpret experimental and phenotypic data using appropriate statistical approaches and tools to generate robust and actionable results
- Conduct and oversee molecular activities, including PCR, KASP assays, and other genotyping-related laboratory procedures, as required to support research objectives.
- Contribute to the development and improvement of methods, workflows, and processes that enhance the efficiency, quality, and reproducibility of variety polishing and trait discovery activities.
- Provide timely and accurate reports on progress to direct supervisor to ensure timely progression of work.
- Identify bottlenecks, technical challenges, and risks that may affect the quality or timely delivery of research outputs and develop and recommend appropriate solutions
- Collaborate with scientists, researchers, breeding teams, genotyping services, and other relevant units to coordinate research activities and ensure alignment with project objectives.
- Manage technical staff in support of research objectives.
- Deliver high-quality introgression and CSSL populations that meet defined quality criteria and project timelines.
- Generate, analyze, and interpret experimental data and translate findings into clear conclusions and recommendations relevant to variety polishing and trait discovery.
- Monitor and document research activities, progress, and outcomes and contribute to technical reports, presentations, and other project documentation.
- Present research findings and technical results at internal meetings, scientific conferences, workshops, and other relevant forums.
- Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, reports, presentations, protocols, and other research outputs.
- Identify, evaluate, and implement improvements to research methods, workflows, and quality assurance processes.
- Ensure that assigned research activities and outputs comply with relevant SOPs, quality standards, and applicable institutional requirements.
- Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor from time to time
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in genetics or molecular biology with at least 3 years of relevant work experience
- Experience with genotyping workflows and selection, marker design
Skills Required
Mandatory
- Technical proficiency in conducting research
- Active contribution in research publications, presentations or reports
- Excellent analytical skills using advanced statistical tools
- Implemented quality assurance tools
- Familiar with risk management practices
- Experience with research management
- Experience leading a small research team
Preferred
- Experience working in an international organization
IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.
Join our team and be part of our story!
Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.