Visiting PhD Researcher – Bean Metabolomic Diversity

About the role

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT are seeking a Visiting PhD Researcher to investigate metabolomic diversity in bean accessions. The role spans research sites in Kenya (or another PABRA member country) and CIAT headquarters in Palmira, Colombia, and involves collaboration with the candidate’s home university.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct metabolomic profiling of bean germplasm from the Future Seeds Genebank.
• Characterise biochemical diversity across bean genotypes and annotate bioactive compounds.
• Integrate metabolomic data with genomic, phenotypic and food composition databases.
• Apply AI and machine‑learning tools to predict health‑related biological activity.
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts, reports and conference presentations.

Required profile

• Enrolled as a PhD student at a recognised university in Kenya or any PABRA member country.
• Master’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Food Science, Bioinformatics or a related field.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• National of a PABRA member country in sub‑Saharan Africa and employed full‑time by a PABRA network partner.

Required skills

• Experience with omics data analysis (genomics, metabolomics).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R and Python.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics tools and databases.

What we offer

• Monthly stipend.
• Travel expenses to Colombia covered by the project.
• Hands‑on training in multi‑omics, bioinformatics and AI‑based methods.
• Opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary, international research environment.