CIMMYT Adjunct Scientist Program: Dryland Crops Improvement

CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. For more information, visit https://www.cimmyt.org/.

This is not an employed position. It is a part-time, Adjunct Scientist affiliation with CIMMYT.

CIMMYT's Dryland Crops Program (DCP) invites highly motivated early- or mid-career NARS scientists from focus countries* to join a CIMMYT research team working on sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, groundnut, or pigeon pea improvement in West or Eastern Africa on an Adjunct basis.

This program aims to strengthen partnerships between CIMMYT and NARS scientists while supporting the professional development of the next generation of scientists through collaborative research, networking, capacity strengthening, and joint resource mobilization, thereby contributing to a shared regional vision for dryland crop improvement.

Adjunct Scientists will focus on their area of expertise, such as crop breeding, seed systems, socioeconomics, data science, agronomy, or related disciplines. Each Adjunct Scientist will be paired with an appropriate CIMMYT Dryland Crops Program (DCP) scientist to jointly advance their respective research programs through activities such as collaborative research, proposal development, exchange visits, strategic meetings, publications, and participation in scientific conferences.

Responsibilities / Specific Duties

• Contribute to the implementation of CIMMYT research activities under the leadership of the host CIMMYT scientist.

• Facilitate collaboration by engaging the host CIMMYT scientist in relevant activities within the scientist's institutional research program.

• Contribute to teamwork in a multicultural working environment.

• Develop joint research proposals.

• Participate in scientific publications and the dissemination of research findings.

• Contribute to relevant CIMMYT strategic and technical meetings.

• Participate in exchange visits, field activities, workshops, and scientific conferences, subject to funding availability.

• Comply with CIMMYT's relevant policies and procedures.

• Contribute to technical reports from jointly implemented activities, documenting achievements and lessons learned.

• Submit an exit report using the prescribed reporting template. The report will serve as a source of feedback to support continuous improvement of the program.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be active full-time employees of a National Agricultural Research Institution in one of the target countries*.

• Have institutional support and endorsement from their employer.

• Hold one of the following qualifications:

o A PhD in a relevant discipline awarded within the last 10 years, with evidence of an active research program and scientific contributions; or

o An MSc and 5-10 years of demonstrated leadership experience in agricultural research, including leading research projects, programs, or technical initiatives.

• Demonstrate strong scientific potential and a commitment to collaborative research.

• Have good written and spoken English skills.

Areas of Research

Applications are encouraged from scientists working in disciplines including:

• Plant Breeding and Genetics

• Seed Systems

• Agronomy and Crop Management

• Socioeconomics and Market Systems

• Biometrics and Data Science

• Applied Genetics and Genomics

• Crop Physiology

• Crop Protection

Duration

The appointment is for one year, with the possibility of a one-year extension based on performance, mutual benefit, and funding availability.

Benefits

Adjunct Scientists remain employees of their home institutions and are not employees of CIMMYT. However, CIMMYT will provide the following benefits during the adjunct appointment:

• A part-time affiliation with CIMMYT for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on performance, continued mutual benefit, and funding availability.

• A monthly gross allowance of USD 1,000 to supplement the scientist's institutional salary.

• Opportunities to collaborate on research, publications, proposal development, and regional initiatives.

• Participation in scientific meetings, exchange visits, and professional networking activities.

• Coverage of travel and related expenses for CIMMYT-approved activities.

• Appropriate health and life insurance coverage, where applicable.

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*Current target countries are Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Candidates must apply online. Applications must include the following documents: a Letter of Motivation, and an Institutional Endorsement Letter from the candidate's home institution.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applications deadline: 20 September 2026

CIMMYT fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.