Assistant Research Associate - Regional Testing Network & Breeding Data Management

About the Organization

CIMMYT is an international, non-profit research institution focused on practical solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Through applied agricultural science and strong partnerships, it works to improve the yield, quality, and reliability of key cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, and millets, along with related crops. Its efforts support smallholder farmers, strengthen resilience, and contribute to a more productive, inclusive, and climate-resilient food system. CIMMYT is also part of the CGIAR research partnership, which is committed to reducing poverty, improving food and nutrition security, and protecting natural resources.

The role is based in Harare, Zimbabwe, within the Southern Africa office. It is a nationally recruited opportunity and is open to Zimbabwean candidates with strong academic backgrounds.

Role Objective

The Assistant Research Associate will help deliver managed-stress phenotyping and on-farm trial work, with a strong focus on collecting accurate physiological and agronomic data. The position also supports the preparation, quality checking, organization, and uploading of breeding datasets into digital data management systems such as EBS.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and carry out regional on-farm trials with farmers, national agricultural research systems, seed companies, and other research partners.
• Ensure that all trials are executed according to approved methods for layout, planting, crop management, monitoring, and data collection.
• Visit field sites, provide technical support, and assist with harvesting, yield recording, and documentation of field conditions.
• Help design and apply standardized protocols for phenotyping and physiological measurements.
• Use and calibrate field equipment such as sensors, GPS units, moisture meters, weather stations, and mobile or digital data capture tools.
• Train field teams and support the collection of reliable physiological and environmental data across trial locations.
• Support electronic data capture, cleaning, verification, and quality control through EBS Fieldbook, Kobo Collect, ODK, and other approved platforms.
• Prepare, organize, and upload phenotypic, agronomic, environmental, and farmer feedback data into EBS and related breeding data systems.
• Make sure datasets are standardized, traceable, well documented, and ready for analysis, reporting, and breeding decisions.
• Oversee field operations across sites, including coordination of people and processes.
• Track field inputs, equipment, and supplies needed for operations.
• Ensure safety requirements and operational procedures are followed.
• Maintain field books, trial maps, activity logs, and other records.
• Contribute to regular progress updates and summary reports.
• Record field observations and any deviations clearly.
• Carry out additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Crop Science, Seed Systems, Data Science in Agriculture, or a closely related discipline.
• A valid Class 4 driver’s license and a current Defensive Driving Certificate.
• At least 3 years of experience in agricultural research and field operations; exposure to crop physiology, phenotyping, and data management will be an advantage.
• Working knowledge of plant physiology.
• Experience managing field trials and collecting data.
• Exposure to digital data collection tools is beneficial.
• Familiarity with data handling and upload tools, including EBS for data cleaning and submission.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good grasp of field research practices and trial quality control.
• Ability to diagnose field and data issues, work with minimal supervision, and deliver outputs on time.
• Capability to train and guide field teams.
• Strong integrity and accountability when handling research data.
• Good communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural setting.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, on-site position in Harare, Zimbabwe. The opportunity is intended for Zimbabwean nationals. The employer offers private health insurance, a pension plan, paid time off, and training and development opportunities.

Benefits

• Private health insurance
• Pension plan
• Paid time off
• Training and development