About the position

We are seeking a Research Associate, with a strong background in biochemical engineering, chemical engineering or a related field. The ideal candidate will have experience in bacterial reactivation, multiplication, and cryopreservation, particularly focusing on beneficial microbes. The objective is to inoculate bacteria into rice plants of various genotypes understanding the plant- microbe interactions.

The position will be based in the operations center of the Americas, located on the Campus of Palmira. The selected candidate will be in the Biotechnology Laboratory.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

·     Reactivate, multiply, and cryopreserve beneficial microbes, ensuring optimal growth conditions and preparing cultures for experimental inoculations. Also, develop and implement cryopreservation protocols for beneficial microbes, ensuring long-term viability of bacterial strains.

·       Perform inoculations of rice plants with beneficial microbes across different genotypes, monitoring the interactions and outcomes.

·       Collect and process greenhouse gas samples (e.g., methane) from experimental plots, applying advanced techniques for precise analysis.

·       Analyze data related to greenhouse gas emissions, bacterial colonization, and plant responses, integrating findings with agronomic data.

·       Utilize drone imagery to monitor plant health, bacterial distribution, and other relevant parameters, interpreting results for research purposes.

·       Process and analyze soil and plant samples, integrating these data with microbial and gas sampling results to evaluate the overall impact on agricultural sustainability.

·       Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and report on experimental outcomes, data analyses, and the potential implications for sustainable agriculture.

·       Prepare monthly reports summarizing research activities and findings.

Qualifications and requirements

·    Bachelor’s degree in biochemical engineering, biotechnology, or any other related careers with experience in microbiology or plant-microbe interactions.

·    Proven experience in bacterial cultivation, preservation, and inoculation, particularly in plant systems.

·    Experience in collecting and analyzing greenhouse gas emissions, with an understanding of the role of microorganisms in soil and plant ecosystems.

·    Proficiency in analyzing drone imagery and other remote sensing data for agricultural applications.

·    Experience in designing and conducting experiments, particularly those related to soil and plant health, microbial interactions, and agronomic outcomes.

·     Experience in planning and supporting experiments, especially those involving soil and plant health, microbial interactions, and farming results.

Benefits

Terms of employment 

This is a national recruited position placed at a BG06, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest.

This is a Colombian national search and will be managed through a fixed term contract of a six (6) months period, subject to a probation period according to the local legislation and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salaries and excellent benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer, and strive for gender, diversity, and inclusion in our staff, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic.