Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit institution. that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa's most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation.

Responsibilities or duties

Research Design and Scientific Contribution

• Contribute to the design and planning of laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments.
• Develop and refine methodologies for soil health and nematode assessment.
• Provide scientific and analytical input to research activities and experimental protocols.

Research Implementation

• Participate in the implementation of field and laboratory studies.
• Ensure adherence to established scientific protocols and data quality standards.
• Support data collection and validation across research sites

Data Analysis and Knowledge Generation

• Conduct statistical analyses and interpretation of nematode and soil health data using appropriate analytical tools.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Develop technical reports and other scientific outputs arising from research activities.

Research Collaboration and Capacity Building

• Collaborate with research partners and multidisciplinary teams in implementing project activities.
• Provide scientific mentorship to postgraduate students and junior researchers where appropriate.
• Contribute to the preparation of research proposals and scientific communications

Scientific Dissemination

• Present research findings at scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Contribute to technical briefs and other knowledge products relevant to the research programme.
• Support dissemination of research outputs to stakeholders and collaborators.

Any other duties assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should possess a Ph.D. in Nematology, Soil Health, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in field and screen house experimentation, data collection, consolidation and analysis, scientific report writing, and team management is required.
• Experience in managing research activities and contributing to multidisciplinary projects will be an added advantage.

Core Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Plant Nematology and Soil Health principles.
• Proven ability in data collection, management, analysis, and interpretation.
• Excellent scientific writing and reporting skills.
• Effective teamwork and collaboration skills.

• Contribute to the design and planning of laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments.
• Develop and refine methodologies for soil health and nematode assessment.
• Provide scientific and analytical input to research activities and experimental protocols.
• Participate in the implementation of field and laboratory studies.
• Ensure adherence to established scientific protocols and data quality standards.
• Support data collection and validation across research sites
• Conduct statistical analyses and interpretation of nematode and soil health data using appropriate analytical tools.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Develop technical reports and other scientific outputs arising from research activities.
• Collaborate with research partners and multidisciplinary teams in implementing project activities.
• Provide scientific mentorship to postgraduate students and junior researchers where appropriate.
• Contribute to the preparation of research proposals and scientific communications
• Present research findings at scientific meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Contribute to technical briefs and other knowledge products relevant to the research programme.
• Support dissemination of research outputs to stakeholders and collaborators.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor

• Strong knowledge of Plant Nematology and Soil Health principles.
• Proven ability in data collection, management, analysis, and interpretation.
• Excellent scientific writing and reporting skills.
• Effective teamwork and collaboration skills.

• Ph.D. in Nematology, Soil Health, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in field and screen house experimentation, data collection, consolidation and analysis, scientific report writing, and team management is required.
• Experience in managing research activities and contributing to multidisciplinary projects will be an added advantage.