The Pathogen Elimination & Post-Entry Quarantine Specialist will be based at the CIP Headquarters and supervise activities related to germplasm acquisition and pathogen elimination in in vitro plants.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead and supervise activities related to germplasm acquisition, post-entry quarantine, pathogen elimination and in vitro introduction.
- Coordinate with curators and germplasm health units (GHU) and external authorities regarding germplasm acquisition, importation and phytosanitary compliance.
- Monitor maintenance of imported plant materials and ensure compliance with national and international phytosanitary requirements.
- Provide technical guidance to technicians and assistants to establish pathogen-free germplasm collections.
- Supervise services provided internally including germplasm introduction, pathogen and phytosanitary support.
- Coordinate the transfer of healthy, viable, pathogen-free material into long-term in vitro conservation systems.
- Coordinate conservation and long-term maintenance of pathogen-free germplasm collections to ensure availability for research, distribution, and safety duplication.
- Monitor accession status, collection integrity, and phytosanitary records within the Genebank database and ensure data quality.
- Coordinate preparation and phytosanitary verification of material destined for safety duplication and domestic and international backup collections.
- Support development and continuous improvement of conservation workflows, common laboratory areas, and quality management systems.
- Analyze laboratory results and determine whether accessions can be declared pathogen-free or require additional treatments.
- Ensure the proper functioning of laboratories and equipment used in the pathogen elimination and quarantine activities.
- Provide internal and external training on germplasm health, conservation, quarantine and quality management procedures.
- Act as a lead focal point for CGIAR Genebank QMS standards and ISO/IEC17025 implementation and compliance.
- Supervise the work of assigned team members including performance evaluations, succession planning and creation of individual development plans.
- Comply with applicable health and safety CIP policies and procedures.
Requirements
- Master's degree in Plant Pathology, Biology, Agronomy, or related discipline.
- At least six (6) years of relevant professional experience in germplasm health, in vitro conservation, pathogen elimination, or other activities related to genebank management.
Demonstrated Expertise
- ISO/IEC 17025 and Quality Management Systems (QMS)
- Genetic resources conservation and management
- Germplasm health and phytosanitary procedures
- Laboratory information and data management systems
- Pathogen elimination techniques, including thermotherapy and meristem culture