Senior Scientist- Genebank Management

Job Summary

ICBA is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and results-oriented Senior Scientist to lead the Institute's Genetic resources and Genebank operations. Reporting to the Chief Scientist and maintaining close collaboration with the Crop Diversification and Genetics Program, the incumbent will lead the acquisition, maintenance and conservation, characterization, documentation, and help to evaluate and utilize ICBA’s ~18,500 unique plant genetic resources, effectively supporting crop improvement research and sustainable agricultural development in saline and arid environments. The position will provide scientific and operational leadership for the acquisition, conservation, regeneration, seed health management, data management and digitization, and distribution of germplasm, while ensuring compliance with international standards, biodiversity agreements, and best practices in genetic resource management. The incumbent will promote the strategic use of genetic resources for developing and deploying climate-resilient, nutrient-dense food, feed, forage, and halophytic crops. The role will also strengthen partnerships with national and international gene banks and build both technical and infrastructure capacity across ICBA's target regions. Through innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence, the Senior Scientist will position ICBA's Genebank as a globally recognized center of excellence for conserving and utilizing genetic resources to enhance food and nutrition security, water productivity, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods in saline and arid environments.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the germplasm acquisition, characterization, evaluation, viability and seed health monitoring, regeneration, conservation, safety duplication, documentation and distribution.
• Promote the effective utilization of plant genetic resources through crop improvement, seed multiplication, community seed systems, and the adoption of improved varieties by farmers.
• Build strategic partnerships, develop grant proposals and mobilize external funding to support the long-term sustainability, modernization, operation, conservation, and utilization of plant genetic resources and genebank systems.
• Drive gene bank digitalization through Genesys, GRIN-GGCE, and GERMINATE to enhance data quality, inventory management, and accession tracking.
• Manage and enhance the passport data completion index through quality of passport data, degree of characterization, evaluation, and associated phenotypic data.
• Ensure compliance with international and national regulations, including ITPGRFA, ABS frameworks, and phytosanitary requirements, and coordinate closely with the Crop Trust.
• Develop internal seed distribution system and link with ICBA’s internal CRM platform.
• Comprehensively updating the SOP for Genebank operations as operational backbone to ensure consistency of quality control, compliance and continuity.
• Publish scientific papers, technical reports and other knowledge products.
• Representing ICBA in national, regional, and international forums related to plant genetic resources, gene bank management, and biodiversity conservation.
• Support national and regional institutions in establishing and strengthening genebanks, community seed banks, and seed systems, leveraging on ICBA’s experience in Africa and Central Asia.
• Lead capacity-building initiatives by mentoring scientists, supervising technical staff and students, and organizing training programs on genetic resources management.
• Manage gene bank facilities, budgets, and human resources to ensure operational excellence and compliance with international quality standards.
• Position of ICBA's Genebank as a globally recognized center of excellence for the conservation, management, and utilization of plant genetic resources in saline and arid environments.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Genetic Resources or related disciplines.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in genebank management, plant genetic resources conservation, preferably in an international agricultural research organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in ex situ conservation, seed processing, viability testing, regeneration, documentation, long-term preservation and use of plant genetic resources.
• Proven experience in implementing gene bank policies, quality management systems, SOPs, and international standards for genetic resource conservation.
• Strong knowledge of international frameworks related to plant genetic resources, including access and benefit-sharing, phytosanitary requirements, and germplasm exchange.
• Experience in managing germplasm databases, digital information systems, and data quality assurance for genetic resource collections.
• Team player with proven ability to work with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, manage budgets, and deliver projects and institutional objectives.
• Demonstrated success in developing strategic partnerships and mobilizing external funding from national and international donors.
• Strong scientific publication record and evidence of technical leadership in genetic resources management.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building skills, with experience interacting with donors, and national gene bank partners.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of breeding programs and utilization pathways that enhance the use of conserved germplasm in crop improvement.
• Experience in establishing regional and international networks for conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources.
• Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage