Post-Doctoral Fellow, Biogeochemical Modelling/remote Sensing at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Job Details

The position will contribute to the Program on Climate Smart Livestock (PCSL), which falls under the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). The position will be part of the Mazingira Centre staff (mazingira.ilri.org).

Responsibilities:

• Use newly collected data with biogeochemical process models such as APSIM and/or LandscapeDNDC (Validation) to allow projections of productivity and GHG emissions into the future;
• To scale localized knowledge (based on in-situ data collection) to broader geographic levels (e.g. regional);
• To test good-bet mitigation options using process models to identify best-bet options under current climate and future conditions
• Communicate the gained findings to stakeholders (ministries, livestock extension officers, farmers);
• To coordinate PCSL activities in the respective focus country (Kenya) – this includes the coordination of students and research assistants in the field as well as continuous communication with the main laboratory in Nairobi, Kenya;
• Write scientific papers and prepare conference/workshop presentations and other communication products describing results and their implications for productivity, GHG and nutrient management;
• Supervision of PhD and Msc students

Requirements:

• PhD in Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Geography or other relevant discipline
• In-depth knowledge in working with biogeochemical process models (parameterization, application as well as code modification where necessary)
• In-depth knowledge on GIS and remote sensing data products
• Knowledge of agricultural production systems in developing and/or developed countries is an advantage
• Ability to handle large datasets, data processing and statistical software such as R, SPSS, Matlab or python
• The ability to supervise and train research assistants, students and provide necessary data quality control and assurance
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• The ability to effectively communicate in a multicultural context, present findings to diverse audiences, and support facilitation of multi-stakeholder workshops
• The ability to collaborate with scientists and technicians from other disciplines (anthropology, economics, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, veterinary medicine etc.) in an interdisciplinary and multicultural team

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Position level: Post-doctoral level.

Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.

Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical insurance, life insurance and allowances for: education, housing, home leave, and annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays.