Consultant - Biologicals for Crop Resilience and Protection

at  International Atomic Energy Agency

Consultant - Biologicals for Crop Resilience and Protection - (TAL-NAFA20240904-001)
Organization: NAFA-Plant Breeding and Genetics Laboratory
Primary Location: Austria-Lower Austria-Seibersdorf-IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf
Job Posting: 2024-09-11, 5:47:05 AM
Closing Date: 2024-09-25, 4:59:00 PM
Duration in Months: 6
Contract Type: Special Service Agreement - SSA
Full Competitive Recruitment: No

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Plant Biotechnology
• Plant Breeding and Genetics

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced University Degree (master’s) in Molecular Biology.
• Minimum five years experience in Microbiology, Molecular Biology.
• Expertise and proven knowledge and experience in the development of microorganisms for disease biocontrol. Knowledge in the isolation, characterization and testing of microorganisms for use in agriculture.
• Proficiency in all current molecular biology and microbial techniques. Experience in the field of microbe/plant interaction and testing of microorganisms in vitro and in planta.
• Knowledge on the safe selection of bacterial strains, to use in agriculture. Basic bioinformatics knowledge to analyze genomes and develop primers to detect the microorganism in planta.
• Mastery of data analysis in R.

The aim of this consultancy is to develop a pipeline for the screening and mutation of microorganisms for use in
agriculture to improve plant performance against biotic and abiotic stress. Using the example of Fusarium wilt and
banana, the knowledge gained in the screening of microbial mutants will be passed on to member states. Over next
year, PBG will organize workshops to provide member states with tools to generate mutations and to test them
effectively for their improved properties. To this end, protocols and handouts produced so that Member States
researchers are able to carry out the work independently at their home institutes. Also, the consultancy will contribute
to development of enabling tools and technologies for research on biologicals, selection and maintenance of suitable
microbial cultures and standardizing protocols for microbial mutation and mutant selection. Additional responsibilities
may include molecular characterization of the biological agents; data analysis; and development of Special Operating
Procedures (SOPs).