Crop Science and Remote Sensing Specialist-CIMMYT at Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

Duties and Responsibilities

Agronomy

• Design, implement, and oversee on-station and on-farm agronomic trials aligned with breeding and seed systems research objectives
• Optimize agronomic packages (plant population, nutrient management, water management, and cropping systems)
• Ensure standardized agronomic protocols and data quality across locations
• Monitor crop growth and field conditions, ensuring uniformity and trial integrity
• Maintain accurate agronomic records for all trials
• Analyze agronomic trial data and contribute to interpretation of G×E×M interactions.

Crop Physiology

• Identify and quantify key physiological traits associated with yield, stress tolerance, and resource-use efficiency
• Support phenotyping for drought, heat, nutrient stress, and other priority constraints through implementation of standardized phenotyping protocols across sites and seasons
• Integrate physiological trait data with agronomic and breeding datasets to inform varietal selection and targeting
• Conduct physiological experiments under field and controlled conditions (where applicable/necessary)

Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analytics

• Deploy and operate remote sensing tools such as UAVs/drones, handheld sensors, and proximal platforms for data collection, including processing, and analysis of imagery and sensor data
• Acquire & process imagery from satellites, drones, and aerial platforms
• Apply vegetation indices and spatial analytics for crop monitoring, stress detection, and trial quality assessment
• Integrate remote sensing and GIS data with field and physiological data for high-throughput phenotyping
• Produce spatial maps, dashboards, and visual products for technical reporting
• Mapping potential distribution area of various stresses, diseases and pests using environmental variables associated with their occurrence

 Integration, Capacity Building, and Reporting

• Synthesize agronomic, physiological, and remote sensing evidence into actionable recommendations
• Provide technical backstopping and training to partners, field teams, and national programs
• Contribute to scientific publications, technical reports, and donor deliverables
• Support data documentation, reproducibility, and knowledge management

Requirements

• MSc in Agronomy/Crop Physiology & Remote Sensing
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in applied agricultural research
• Demonstrated experience integrating field trials, physiological measurements, and remote sensing data
• Strong quantitative and data analysis skills (e.g., R, Python, GIS platforms, Google Earth Engine, ArcMap)
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary and multi-location projects
• Prior engagement with international, CGIAR, NARS, or donor-funded programs is an advantage

Education, knowledge and experience

• MSc in Agronomy/Crop Physiology & Remote Sensing
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in applied agricultural research
• Demonstrated experience integrating field trials, physiological measurements, and remote sensing data
• Strong quantitative and data analysis skills (e.g., R, Python, GIS platforms, Google Earth Engine, ArcMap)
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary and multi-location projects
• Prior engagement with international, CGIAR, NARS, or donor-funded programs is an advantage

Deadline 10th July 2026.