Research Associate – LEG4DEV Food Science, Nutrition and Safety Technical Officer

Job description

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food-secure future. For more information, please visit www.iita.org.

IITA is seeking to employ the services of fully qualified and experienced Zambian nationals to fill the following positions at its Lusaka Station:

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – LEG4DEV Food Science, Nutrition and Safety Technical Officer – REF NO: SARAH/RA/06/25

Overall Responsibility: To support food science, nutrition, and safety research activities in Malawi and Zambia for the IITA and University of Galway LEG4DEV project.

Key responsibilities:

Identify and model strategies for integrating legumes into cereal and root/tuber crop systems to improve nutrition and food safety outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa, addressing climate change and sustainability challenges.
Enable greater use of biofortified legume varieties for developing food basket approaches to improve the seasonal supply of dietary diversity and nutrition to smallholder farming communities through the following activities:
a. define more effective biofortified food baskets that contain legumes (whether biofortified or not);
b. design (and test in robust designed trials) legume-containing biofortified food baskets and recipes that enhance the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of nutrients and reduce the effects of antinutritional factors ;
c. engage in H+ field trials in Zambia of consumers of high-iron beans to determine whether micronutrient levels are elevated in plasma and are associated with health and nutritional outcomes;
d. conduct trials to determine the effects of agronomic biofortification on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of different foods prepared from agronomically biofortified legume species;
e. measure the levels of micronutrients (iron, zinc) and antinutritional factors in biofortified and non-biofortified beans (or other legumes) sourced from the point of sale (to consumers) markets in each of the four countries.
Conduct gender-focused consumer/cultural and market acceptance studies to identify highly nutritious legumes that can be integrated into cereal and root/tuber crop systems.
Identify and model scaling routes for the reduction of aflatoxin- and fumonisin levels in food and feed derived from legumes and associated cereal and root/tuber crop systems in sub-Saharan Africa through the following activities:
identify post-harvest processing and food technology approaches for the local development of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-free nutritious legume-derived foods and snacks
a. develop and compile recipes for legume-fortified traditional and legume-based novel products, specifically focusing on using ingredients and techniques that reduce the risk of aflatoxin damage to human health.
b. assess the nutritional composition and antinutritional factors of formulated legume-based food products while upholding stringent safety standards and preserving their nutritional value.
Work with IITA and the University of Galway partners on generating publication quality study designs, data collection/generation, data visualisation (Figures/Tables) and drafting of research manuscripts for high impact multi-author journal publications from the research conducted within the LEG4DEV project.
Perform any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience

A Master’s degree in Food Science and Technology, Food microbiology, or other relevant disciplines from a recognized university.
Full Grade 12 certificate

Core Competencies

At least two (2) years of relevant research experience in food science, technology and/or nutrition
Experience in conducting food surveys and data collection
Experience in conducting lab-based food analyses (e.g. nutritional, microbial, and mycotoxins) and food processing and product development using different analytical methods
Proficiency in using relevant data analytical software, databases, internet-based tools, and other electronic communication tools.
Fluency in oral and written English.
• Excellent writing and drafting skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of three (3) years. Renewal is dependent on the performance and availability of funds.

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants should forward their detailed curriculum vitae and covering letter as One Document by email to IITA-Zambia@cgiar.org no later than 9th June 2025. The application should be addressed to the People & Culture Officer.

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted