Research Associate

About the role

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture is looking for a Research Associate to support cowpea breeding activities across laboratory, screen house and field sites in Nigeria.

Key responsibilities

• Assist the cowpea breeder in planning and implementing laboratory, screen house and field experiments.
• Supervise field research across all agro‑ecologies, including field preparation, fertilizer application, planting, weed and pest control, data collection and harvesting.
• Manage procurement of inputs and casual labour for trials and nurseries.
• Oversee germplasm handling, hand pollinations, pedigree record keeping and seed multiplication of advanced lines.
• Supervise junior staff, students (SIWES, NYSC) and evaluate their performance.
• Collate data, perform statistical analysis, conduct literature searches and prepare reports.
• Support graduate students on research projects and assist scientists with budget control.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Crop Production or a related field.
• Minimum four years of relevant experience in a structured research environment.
• Experience working with farmers and extension agents is an advantage.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and train subordinates.
• Working knowledge of Hausa and French is a plus.

Required skills

• Proficiency in MS‑Office.
• Strong knowledge of experimental design.
• Competence in statistical analysis.

What we offer

• Highly competitive salary with attractive benefits.
• Excellent working conditions on a pleasant campus environment.