Avis de recrutement : Recrutement d’un.e Chercheur.e en génétique quantitative à Montpellier, France.

Cirad is recruiting a researcher in quantitative genetics to develop research in the framework of breeding programmes associated with complex experimental systems.
You will be positioned within the Plant Breeding and Adaptation Joint Research Unit (AGAP institute), which has proven experience in plant breeding, including participatory approaches, and statistical analysis.
You will be more particularly assigned to the team “Dynamics of Diversity, Societies and Environments” (DDSE) team which analyses and participates in the dynamics of the crop diversity at different temporal and spatial scales, using biological and social sciences. Within this framework, innovative and varied plant breeding programmes are implemented to satisfy the needs of different groups of stakeholders for a diversity of production and consumption models.

In collaboration with other teams in the unit and in the context of evaluation and decentralised plant breeding programmes in the farming environment (mainly in West Africa at first), you will be responsible for:
– Participating in and developing ongoing and new plant breeding programmes which aim to meet the needs of different stakeholder groups for a diversity of production and consumption models
– Conducting research on the design and implementation of unbalanced experimental designs in farming environments in order to take into account the complexity involved in the agro-ecological approaches and genetic diversity.
– Analysing data and developing suitable statistical models, in particular those developed in a Bayesian framework that offer more flexibility
– Designing plant breeding programmes with farmers to meet their expectations and those of consumers and to jointly make innovative proposals, taking into account the diversity and complexity of smallholder agriculture.

Montpellier for the first two years with frequent assignments, particularly in West Africa. You will then be assigned to West Africa

Required expert knowledge:

• PhD in quantitative genetics and plant breeding, with a background in breedingand statistical modelling
• Experience in developing statistical models suitable for unbalanced experimental designs
• Experience in developing participatory evaluation and participatory plant breeding approaches
• Ability to work in a team in a multidisciplinary environment
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work across cultures
• Adaptability, motivation, independence, proactivity, methodological rigour, ability to manage priorities and organisational skills
• Good oral and written communication skills in English and French. You will be required to publish your work in high-impact journals and to present it at national or international conferences

The following expert knowledge would be an advantage:
• Experience in managing heterogeneous data;
• Experience in managing data and sharing analyses.