Crop Improvement Intern (Potato Breeding)

About the role

The International Potato Center (CIP) is offering a one‑year Crop Improvement Internship at its PQS‑Muguga station in Nairobi, Kenya. The intern will support hybrid potato breeding research, gaining practical experience in greenhouse operations, data collection and analysis within the CGIAR network.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in designing and implementing a research experiment on hybrid potato breeding, in consultation with the supervising scientist.
• Conduct literature reviews and help develop research protocols.
• Collect field and greenhouse data following established experimental procedures.
• Compile, clean and manage datasets, performing statistical analysis using R.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations summarising findings and recommendations.
• Support day‑to‑day greenhouse activities, including plant maintenance, crossing and seed management.

Required profile

• Highly motivated candidate with interest in crop improvement and potato breeding.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the breeding team and field staff.
• Willingness to learn and follow experimental protocols.

Required skills

• Proficiency in R for data analysis.

What we offer

• Hands‑on training in hybrid breeding within a leading CGIAR research centre.
• Exposure to international research networks and multidisciplinary teams.