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Postdoctoral Fellow Ecologist/Soil Scientist

VACANCY: Postdoctoral Fellow
Ecologist/Soil Scientist

About our organization

The World Agroforestry Centre (also known as the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry or ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 23 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org

About the position

The Ecologist/Soil scientist will be responsible for implementing land health surveys and greenhouse gas measurements in land management projects in Africa. The work will also contribute to the new CG Consortium Research Projects, especially CRP5 on Water, Land and Ecosystems, and CRP7 on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security. The main role includes the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities

• Measuring and monitoring land health (the capacity of land to sustain delivery of essential ecosystem services)
• Lead the implementation of landscape level field measurements of vegetation, soil conditions and greenhouse gas fluxes in land management projects in eastern Africa.
• Conduct statistical analysis of lab, field and remote sensing data, including time series gas flux measurements.
• Write technical reports and scientific articles on the above.

Requirements

• PhD in natural sciences
• Field experience in tropical developing countries
• Analysis of large ecological data sets
• Good publication record
• Sound knowledge of soil science and terrestrial ecology
• Strong quantitative and statistical skills in multivariate and multilevel modelling
• Experience with GIS and remote sensing desirable
• Experience in greenhouse gas measurements desirable
• Modelling experience desirable
• Knowledge of R statistical software an advantage

Terms of offer

The World Agroforestry Centre is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women. This position is on International terms and will be for an initial period of three (3) years, renewable subject to nine (9) months’ probation period, assessment of performance, continued relevance of the position and availability of resources.


How to apply

Applications for the position must include:
• A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements and salary expectations
• A detailed curriculum vitae
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax numbers and email addresses.

All correspondence should be addressed to the Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya OR via email: icrafhru@cgiar.org and should indicate “Postdoctoral Fellow - Ecologist/Soil Scientist” on the subject line of application letters and email submissions.

Applications will be considered until 10 June 2011. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.