Post-Doctoral Fellow, Sorghum Breeding (Internationally Recruited) - IRS26256

Role Overview

This position sits at the intersection of predictive analytics and day-to-day breeding execution, ensuring that advanced statistical tools actually shape the sorghum varieties moving through the pipeline. You will coordinate field trials, support crossing and population development decisions, and help scientists and partners turn genomic predictions into practical selection actions. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the delivery of climate-resilient sorghum varieties for smallholder farmers across Eastern and Southern Africa, while strengthening the links between research teams, national programs, and regional breeding networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on breeding operations, from nursery planning and trial layout to pollination, harvest, and seed processing, ensuring that field activities align with analytic priorities.
• Partner with quantitative geneticists to convert genomic selection outputs into concrete crossing blocks, population advancement schemes, and selection indices.
• Coordinate sparse multi-location testing across the ADCIN sorghum network, selecting sites, managing partner relationships, and overseeing phenotyping protocols that generate reliable data.
• Integrate recurrent and rapid-cycle genomic selection into routine breeding workflows, including rapid generation advancement and targeted trait introgression.
• Manage data quality throughout the trial lifecycle, from plot layout and field books to sample collection, laboratory handoff, and database upload.
• Work with biometricians to analyze trial results and translate statistical findings into clear recommendations for breeders and national partners.
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts, technical reports, training materials, and other knowledge products that document pipeline improvements and outcomes.

Requirements & Qualifications

• PhD in plant breeding, agronomy, or a closely related field, earned within the last five years or expected within the next six months.
• At least several years of applied field research experience with sorghum, including multi-environment trials or breeding pipeline implementation.
• Familiarity with genomic selection methodologies, quantitative genetics, and breeding data management systems.
• Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines, particularly with breeders, field technicians, and data analysts working in applied crop improvement.
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications and clear scientific writing.
• Strong spoken and written English communication skills.
• Desirable experience includes sparse testing, recurrent genomic selection, predictive breeding, or rapid generation advancement in sorghum.