World Coffee Research (WRC) uses advanced and applied research in coffee genetics and agronomy to create new varieties, agronomic approaches, and market opportunities for farmers to become more resilient and profitable, especially in the face of significant threats like climate change. WCR conducts research on a nonprofit, collaborative basis, in partnership with leading scientists and institutions in producing countries and around the world.

The genetic improvement strategy of WCR is based on two main pillars:

• Increasing the rate of Genetic Gains
• Increasing the rate of Variety Turnover

Key Responsibilities

• Breeding Program Supervision (50%)
  • Shape the WCR breeding/research strategy to improve rates of genetic gain and variety turnover in alignment with market demands.
  • Drive results set by the breeding/research strategy to establish a modern coffee breeding program.
  • Deliver germplasm, traits and breeding technology on time and on budget according to the project plan guided by the breeding strategy.
  • Execute or oversee the data analysis and interpretation of the analyses to facilitate the data driven decisions.
• Project management & Partnership Building (50%)
  • Achieve WCR Breeding Strategies by leveraging the technical expertise and relationship/trust of collaborative research partners and collaborative research. 
  • Conduct technical reviews in alignment with a philosophy of continuous improvement and project expectations
  • Assure high quality research is on track and meeting the milestones set up in the project plans. 
  • Establish WCR as the “Partner of Choice” for collaborations.
  • Coordinate and develop annual work plans and budgets.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Education
  • PhD or MS in Plant Breeding or Plant Genetics
  • Course work in Quantitative genetics and molecular markers
• Experience
  • Minimum 5-7 years of experience modern plant breeding.
  • Coffee, tree or clonal crop breeding is highly preferred
    • Coffee experience or coffee science is a premium
  • International Agriculture (Coffee Growing Regions is a premium)
• Knowledge
  • Knowledge in the use of statistical software such as R or SAS
  • English required. 
• Skills
  • Organizational Skills (Details with an ability to plan and prioritize)
  • Customer orientation/product driven
  • Critical, strategic, analytical thinker and problem solver.
  • Resource management
  • Business acumen
  • Diplomacy
  • Remote working (via Teleconferencing)
• Abilities
  • A significant appreciation of improving coffee quality and production capabilities
  • To work with a fast-paced, innovative leadership team
  • Ability to work independently with self-motivation
  • Ability to work effectively across different cultures and customs
  • Ability to work and communicate effectively across a diversity of roles

For further information on the selection process, please contact Maud Nicolas (maud@worldcoffeeresearch.org)

Regretfully, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.