Senior Scientist – Wheat Rust Genetics (Pathology)

About the role

CIMMYT is seeking a dynamic Senior Scientist to lead research on wheat rust resistance and pathology within its Global Wheat Program. The role combines scientific leadership, international collaboration, and hands‑on coordination of field and greenhouse phenotyping to develop durable rust‑resistant germplasm.

Key responsibilities

• Lead global wheat rust pathogen surveillance, race characterization and early‑warning dissemination.
• Provide strategic oversight of rust screening, phenotyping and data‑generation platforms across CIMMYT stations and partner sites.
• Design and manage multi‑country research projects, securing competitive grants and overseeing budgets.
• Drive advanced genetics approaches (GWAS, QTL mapping, genomic prediction) to discover and deploy resistance genes.
• Mentor early‑career scientists and strengthen partner capacity in surveillance and breeding pipelines.

Required profile

• PhD in plant pathology (or plant breeding) with a focus on wheat rust resistance.
• Minimum 5 years post‑doctoral experience in wheat rust research, including international leadership and multi‑country project management.
• Proven record of high‑impact publications and successful external funding acquisition.
• Strong leadership, communication and teamwork skills in multicultural settings.

Required skills

• Proficiency with analytical tools such as R, TASSEL, GAPIT, R/qtl.
• Experience applying GWAS, QTL mapping and genomic prediction to complex resistance traits.
• Expertise in molecular genetics, statistical analysis and handling large genotype‑phenotype datasets.

What we offer

• Internationally competitive salary with housing allowance, car, and comprehensive health and life insurance.
• Assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home‑travel airfare, retirement plan contribution, and relocation support.