Duty Station: Ibadan, Oyo State, NigeriaContract Type: Three-year renewable contract About The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit research-for-development organization that generates agricultural innovations to address Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation. As a member of One CGIAR, IITA works in partnership with national governments, research institutions, the private sector, and development partners to improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment opportunities, and safeguard natural resources across sub-Saharan Africa. Through cutting-edge research and scalable solutions, IITA supports sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and inclusive agricultural transformation. Position Overview IITA invites applications for the position of Senior Research Associate, based in Ibadan, Nigeria. This role supports applied research and field implementation activities focused on livestock feed, forage development, and innovative feed technologies. The Senior Research Associate will play a critical role in advancing research on feed systems, crop residue utilization, and fermentation-derived protein solutions, while supporting on-station and on-farm trials across multiple Nigerian states. The position requires strong technical expertise, hands-on research experience, and the ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, private-sector actors, and regulatory authorities. Key Responsibilities The Senior Research Associate will contribute to research design, field implementation, data management, and stakeholder engagement across several project components. Core responsibilities include: Planning and implementing feed and forage production trials, including: Crop-residue processing Evaluation of improved and alternative feed ingredients Supporting the preparation, processing, and laboratory analysis of feed, forage, and fermentation-derived protein samples, including: Nutrient profiling Digestibility testing Safety and quality assessments Assisting with the setup, management, and monitoring of animal, poultry, and fish feeding trials conducted both on-station and on-farm Ensuring accurate performance measurement, data integrity, and strict adherence to experimental protocols Conducting field data collection, sampling, and initial sample preparation for quality assessments, including: Forage variety trials On-farm validation studies Compiling, cleaning, and managing datasets from field trials, laboratory analyses, and surveys Performing basic data analysis and contributing to: Scientific and technical reports Dashboards and monitoring tools Communication and knowledge products Project-Specific Contributions The role will directly support activities and deliverables under key project components in Nigeria, including: Drought-tolerant forage trials in Sahelian states Scaling biotechnology solutions for converting crop residues into high-quality livestock feed Economic and performance testing of fermentation-derived protein in poultry and aquaculture systems Assessment of mycotoxin contamination and livestock exposure risks in feed systems These activities are central to improving livestock productivity, feed safety, and climate resilience within Nigeria’s agri-food systems. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination The Senior Research Associate will actively support collaboration and knowledge exchange by: Coordinating engagement with farmers, feed millers, integrators, universities, research institutes, and regulatory agencies Supporting experience-sharing visits, technology demonstrations, training events, and stakeholder platform meetings Contributing to market studies, policy roundtables, and evidence-based discussions to inform decision-making Strengthening linkages between research outputs and real-world adoption by producers and private-sector actors Operational and Reporting Responsibilities In addition to research activities, the position involves operational and supervisory functions, including: Providing logistical and operational support for field, farm, and laboratory activities Ensuring proper use, maintenance, and safety of research equipment and facilities Supervising technicians and casual staff as assigned Preparing: Weekly and monthly activity summaries Quarterly progress and performance reports Maintaining accurate records and ensuring high standards of data quality and documentation Performing any other job-related duties as assigned by the Head of School Qualifications and Experience Educational Requirements Master’s degree in: Animal Science Animal Nutrition Feed Science and Technology Agricultural Biotechnology Or a closely related discipline Professional Experience Minimum of six years of relevant experience performing similar roles in a structured research or development environment Core Competencies and Skills The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Strong hands-on expertise in field experimentation, sampling, and laboratory techniques Proven ability to manage multiple tasks across farm operations, laboratory workflows, and diverse field environments Willingness and capacity to travel frequently across Nigeria Proficiency in data entry, data cleaning, and use of spreadsheet and basic statistical analysis tools Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engaging diverse stakeholders Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to data quality and recordkeeping Sound strategic thinking and leadership capabilities to support project delivery Knowledge of national feed quality and safety standards and related regulatory procedures Ability to work independently and effectively within multidisciplinary teams Remuneration and Benefits IITA offers a highly competitive salary package, complemented by attractive benefits and excellent working conditions. The position is based on IITA’s well-equipped and pleasant campus environment in Ibadan, Nigeria, providing access to strong research infrastructure and a collaborative professional setting. Equal Opportunity Statement IITA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, particularly women and individuals from underrepresented groups. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the seeking organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.