Senior Research Assistant - Genetic Resources Team

About the role

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is recruiting a Senior Research Assistant for its Genetic Resources Team in Terbol, Lebanon, reporting to the Lebanon Genebank Manager. The post provides technical and operational support to research, genebank and project activities, helping conserve, characterize, regenerate and manage plant genetic resources, and supports field, laboratory and genebank work, data management and project reporting.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement field and laboratory activities under the Low-Methane Forages Project
• Establish and manage forage germplasm experiments, including planting, crop management, characterization, biomass assessment, harvesting and post-harvest handling
• Collect agro-morphological, phenological and productivity data according to agreed protocols
• Coordinate collection, labelling, processing, storage and transfer of forage samples for methane-related screening
• Track germplasm and plant samples from field establishment through delivery to project partners
• Maintain, verify, analyze and report project datasets, including characterization, productivity, sample-processing and shipment records
• Supervise field workers and technical support staff and coordinate with ICARDA scientists, other CGIAR centres, LARI and project partners
• Contribute to project reporting, technical documentation, training, meetings and capacity development
• Support additional GRS activities such as germplasm regeneration, characterization, seed processing, viability testing and conservation

Required profile

• MSc in Agriculture, Plant Science, Biology, Plant Genetic Resources or a related discipline, with at least three years of relevant experience; a BSc with substantial directly relevant experience may also be considered
• Experience supporting the planning, implementation and monitoring of research activities and experiments
• Experience collecting, recording, organizing and maintaining research data and documentation
• Ability to coordinate field and laboratory activities and guide research technicians, daily labour, students and other support staff
• Fluency in English and the relevant national language, spoken and written
• Nationally recruited position open to Lebanese nationals

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Experience with research databases, data-management systems or statistical software is an advantage
• Ability to prepare technical reports, research summaries and presentations
• Ability to work independently while coordinating with scientists and technical staff

What we offer

• Initial 3-year contract, renewable subject to continued need and satisfactory performance
• Competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days annual leave, five months maternity leave and 15 days paternity leave