Research Officer – Nematology job at National Agricultural Research Organisation

Background

The National Agricultural Research Organisation is established by the National Agricultural Research Act 2005 as a body corporate with the mandate to provide strategic direction for publicly funded agricultural research in Uganda. The organisation is composed of the Council as its governing body, Committees of Council, a Secretariat for its day-to-day operations with semi-autonomous Public Agricultural Research Institutes (PARI’s) under its policy guidance. The Director General invites suitably qualified Ugandans to apply for the following positions at PARIs and NARO Secretariat.

Job Purpose

To execute scientific research concerning plant-parasitic nematodes affecting food security and commercial value chains (e.g., roots, tubers, cereals, and vegetables).

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should possess a Master’s Degree in Plant Pathology or Entomology with specialization in Nematology.

Should have a minimum of three years demonstrated working experience in plant parasitic nematodes in agricultural environment, knowledge in current nematicide products in the market, Knowledge working with biological control agents (esp. Bacterial derived).

Proven record of publication in referred journals is an added advantage.

Possession of a PhD is an added advantage.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Identify nematode species, map geographic infestations, evaluate germplasm for resistance, and develop integrated nematode management strategies to safeguard crop health, seed quality, and soil productivity

Oversee the collection and laboratory processing of soil and plant tissue samples using standard extraction techniques

Identify major plant parasitic nematodes using light microscopy, morphometric measurements, and taxonomic keys.

Determine yield losses associated with nematode infestations on the crops and devise strategies for controlling/minimizing crop yield loss due to nematode infestation.

Conducting surveys to establish occurrence, distribution and population densities of the major nematode pests of field trials within NARO and contracted research organizations.

Conduct laboratory, screen-house testing and field screening trials to evaluate breeding lines and parent lines and other crops for resistance or tolerance to economically damaging nematode species

Coordinate field trials within NARO and with contracted research organizations

Culture and maintain pure populations of target nematode species on susceptible host plants under controlled screen-house conditions for experimental use.

Conduct surveys to determine nematode population dynamics, reproduction factors, and economic injury levels across varied crop varieties

Tenure of Office

The tenure of office is a 5-year contract renewable upon satisfactory performance.

Additional Notes

Only applications responding to this advertisement and its attendant timelines will be received.

• Identify nematode species, map geographic infestations, evaluate germplasm for resistance, and develop integrated nematode management strategies to safeguard crop health, seed quality, and soil productivity
• Oversee the collection and laboratory processing of soil and plant tissue samples using standard extraction techniques
• Identify major plant parasitic nematodes using light microscopy, morphometric measurements, and taxonomic keys.
• Determine yield losses associated with nematode infestations on the crops and devise strategies for controlling/minimizing crop yield loss due to nematode infestation.
• Conducting surveys to establish occurrence, distribution and population densities of the major nematode pests of field trials within NARO and contracted research organizations.
• Conduct laboratory, screen-house testing and field screening trials to evaluate breeding lines and parent lines and other crops for resistance or tolerance to economically damaging nematode species
• Coordinate field trials within NARO and with contracted research organizations
• Culture and maintain pure populations of target nematode species on susceptible host plants under controlled screen-house conditions for experimental use.
• Conduct surveys to determine nematode population dynamics, reproduction factors, and economic injury levels across varied crop varieties

• Nematology
• Plant Pathology
• Entomology
• Microscopy
• Taxonomy
• Research
• Germplasm evaluation
• Integrated Pest Management
• Biological control agents
• Nematicide products

• Master’s Degree in Plant Pathology or Entomology with specialization in Nematology.
• Minimum of three years demonstrated working experience in plant parasitic nematodes in agricultural environment.
• Knowledge in current nematicide products in the market.
• Knowledge working with biological control agents (esp. Bacterial derived).
• Proven record of publication in referred journals is an added advantage.
• Possession of a PhD is an added advantage.