Research Associate

CABI is a not for profit organization that improves people's lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment.

CABI can trace its origins back to 1910, and is now established by a United Nations treaty level agreement between countries who wanted to “promote the advancement of agriculture and allied sciences through the provision of information, scientific and related services on a world-wide basis”.

CABI is now a truly international organization which operates simply as ‘CABI’, and was  formerly known as the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux. Activities include: scientific publishing, research, consultancy, training and communication.

CABI has three areas of operation:

• publishing

CABI is the publisher of renowned scientific information, including CAB Abstracts - our world-leading bibliographic database covering agriculture and the environment. We also publish multimedia compendia, books, e-books and internet resources aiming to further science and its application to real life.

• scientific projects and consultancy

Our International Development staff research, and find solutions to, agricultural and environmental problems. We use science, information and communication tools to solve the issues which affect people’s lives. We focus our work on three key scientific areas:

• commodities – we work to enable smallholder commodity farmers to compete in global markets. We diagnose and control plant pests and diseases, and help farmers get a better price for their crops.
• invasive species – we are helping to reduce the spread and impact of invasive weeds and insects. We also advise countries at a policy level about agriculture, trade and the environment.
• knowledge for development – we work with farmers, extension workers, researchers and governments to deliver agricultural knowledge and develop communication strategies and systems.

• microbial services

Our Bioservices business stores, curates and identifies fungi. We hold over 28,000 live and at the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, under a collaborative initiative, we hold 400,000 dried organisms, of which 90% are unique to CABI. We conduct microbiological identifications, provide cultures for sale, and offer preservation and consultancy services. We are also screening our collection, looking for natural products such as antibiotics, vitamins and enzymes.

We have over 350 staff based in 16 countries – we operate from Africa, the Caribbean & Latin America, China, India, Malaysia, North America, Pakistan, Switzerlandand the UK, with our Head Office in Oxfordshire, UK.

CABI works with and for: universities, corporations, member country governments, research agencies, charities and foundations, national donor agencies, farmers, extension workers and non-governmental organizations.

CABI operates as an efficient organization in order to be financially self-sustaining whilst delivering benefits to its members through not for profit development projects, and receives revenue from its publishing activities, funding for its research programmes and contributions from its member countries, of which there are more than 40.

For further information on CABI, please visit www.cabi.org

THE ROLE

Job title:                       ResearchAssociate,Pakistan

Grade:                          Fixed Term

Contract Period:        Up toJune 30, 2012(Extendable subject to

                                       Satisfactory performance)

Reporting to:              Project Manager

Direct reports:            Project Manager

Key peer group:        International Development (ID), Commodities 

Location:                     Faisalabad/Rawalpindi

CABI profile in Pakistan

Pakistanis a member country of CABI and has its regional office CABI South Asia atRawalpindi. CABI scientists and publishing products are well respected inPakistan. CABI South Asia specialists are successfully working in the areas of agriculture, livestock, environment sciences and IT sectors. But our operations are modest in relation to the scale of opportunity that we have identified.  The investment in this new post is part of a new agriculture research project “Integrated Pest Management of Aphids on Wheat Crop” to address this opportunity.

Purpose of the role

The purpose of the role is to conduct different research trials, field demonstrations and field days on integrated management of aphids on wheat crop. The Research Associate as a front line field researcher/demonstrator will lead to plan the trials etc., implement in the field, record data and analyse findings. They have to develop a plan that will contribute to the overall achievement of project objectives and goals. It will be mandatory for them to operate as required at project level to build the image and credibility of CABI with the Punjab/Pakistan Government, funding bodies, partners and client communities.

Key Accountabilities

• To make research plans as a front line researcher for their project component to meet objectives
• to work with other colleagues/team members and motivate them;
• to ensure the efficient management of staff, financial and other resources;
• to develop strong and productive relationships with project stakeholders and team members;
• to ensure the quality of the science conducted at and from the project;
• to conduct different research trials and conclude their results;
• to develop the BAP package for management of aphids on wheat crop;
• to demonstrate the BAP package for adoption by growers for management of aphid infesting their wheat crop;
• to conduct field days at each demonstration blocks;
• to print the literature and periodic reports regarding project salient achievements.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The successful applicant for the post of Research Associate will be a research-oriented scientist with the vision and vigour to lead the research trials towards the success of the project. They will have a well established background in the management of insect pests of agricultural crops preferably in wheat aphid research and good quality writing & computer skill.

Qualifications and language skills

• Preferably Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Entomology, from aHECrecognized university.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken
• Good computer skill in Microsoft Office.

Previous experience

• extensive and demonstrable research experience preferably in wheat aphid research;
• have proven experience in efficient and effective management of resources and staff, including scientific and office staff;
• broad range of research experience on different aspects of insect pest management;
• proven record in scientific publications of research reports and papers.

Personal characteristics

• a team player, with strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• strong and influencing networking skills;.
• highly creative, self motivated and driven to complete tasks on time.
• robust with the operational capacity to handle a demanding workload, including considerable travel
• honest & hard working

HOW TO APPLY    

To apply please send via email a covering letter elaborating how you meet the candidate profile and a current CV, at hrcabisa@cabi.org Closing Date for receipt of All Applications is close of business Monday 27^th June 2011

Only Candidates who fulfil above Qualifications & experience etc. should apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview.

No TA/DA will be admissible for interview.