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. It supports field, laboratory and genebank work, data collection and project reporting.

Key responsibilities

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

Required profile

• MSc in Agriculture, Plant Science, Biology, Plant Genetic Resources or a related field, with at least three years' 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 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, summaries and presentations.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating with scientists and technical staff.

What we offer

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