Farming Systems Agronomist
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Post-Doctoral Fellow
We are seeking a dynamic, innovative and self-motivated scientist for the position of Farming System Agronomist. The selected candidate will have excellent skills and previous experience in farming systems analysis and modeling to assess the contribution of innovative cropping systems to the sustainability of farming systems. The scientist will work as a member of CIMMYT’s Global Conservation Agriculture Program (CIMMYT-GCAP), and will contribute to a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team applying systems approaches for agricultural research.
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org
The position will be based in Zimbabwe, and it is part of a twin postdoc project between Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD) and the CGIAR CRP on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) with the objective of exploring alternative cropping and farming systems for increased productivity, efficiency, resilience and adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers in Southern Africa.
Specific duties of this position include:
The Faming systems analysis will, for three case studies in Southern Africa (in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi):
- Collect and curate farm household data from existing surveys.
- Review and design surveys to better understand resource allocation strategies of farm households.
- Built a typology of farming systems in the case study regions.
- Interview selected farmers for resource allocation strategies.
- Develop a farming system model for representative farms in the study sites (components, inputs/outputs interrelationships and decision rules and thresholds) and contribute to on-going farming systems modelling efforts.
- Assess scenarios of alternative farming systems and adaptation to climate change.
- Communicate research results in the form of reports and scientific articles.
- Communicate to Programme/Project team developments/progress and results of research activities ensuring that relevant information and issues in the implementation of projects are captured in as comprehensive and timely manner as possible.
- Communicate to the scientific community in farming systems analysis and design on results produced within research activities in the form of scientific articles and communication to international conferences as well as Communicate with the development community in the form of reports and policy/research briefs to decision makers.
- Design and organize databases as well as generate data to support overall research objectives.
- Work in close collaboration with GCAP and CIRAD researchers in the region to ensure coordinated actions and data/results exchange.
We are seeking candidates with the following academic qualifications, skills and attitudes:
- PhD in agriculture, natural resource management or related disciplines.
- Solid background in agronomy and understanding of cropping systems modeling.
- Excellent analytical/quantitative skills.
- Strong background in farm modeling.
- Good peer-review publication record.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary/multi-cultural team on trans-disciplinary issues.
This position is designed in line with the new CGIAR Postdoc job description and harmonized compensation package.
We will offer an initial contract for one year, which may be renewable subject to continued need and funding for the position and performance of the staff member. The package includes a tax-free salary in USD and benefits including 15% housing allowance, comprehensive health and life insurance, 15% contribution to a retirement plan, and relocation support.
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.
How to apply:
To apply for this position, please email cover letter and CV no later than Monday, 6 January, 2014 to HR, CIMMYT (Email: irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please indicate Position Reference number: 12333 in the header of your email). For further information on the selection process, please contact Guillermo Flores, Staffing Specialist, at g.flores@cgiar.org.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted
