Post-Doctoral Fellow – Geoscience Lab

About the organization

 The World Agroforestry Centre 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.

Main purpose of the job

Focusing primarily on smallholder adaptation to climate change, the main purpose of the job is to conduct remote sensing analysis, spatial modelling and related research linking biophysical monitoring approaches to indicators of agricultural sustainability.

The job specifically includes the following duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct research on the opportunities and limitations of remote sensing and GIS-based data for smallholder climate change adaptation planning.
• Develop knowledge products that can be published in peer reviewed journals and disseminated for practical programming purposes.
• Contribute towards the development of a near-real-time geoscience laboratory at ICRAF that utilizes remote sensing and rigorous statistical approaches for smallholder adaptation planning under different scenarios

Qualifications and experience

• PhD in ecology, hydrology, soil science or related field.
• Strong background in GIS, remote sensing and spatial modelling.
• Advanced knowledge of the R statistical environment.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, and good speaking capacity in French.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and good personal organisation skills required
• Ability to show initiative and work independently.
• Proven analytical skills in GIS, remote sensing analysis and spatial modelling using open source tools.
• Experience with Python and Java programming.
• The capacity to communicate with colleagues in a multidisciplinary and multicultural research team.

Terms of offer

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified women. This position is remunerated on international terms. The appointment will be for an initial period of two (2) years, subject to a nine (9) month probation period. The recommended duty station for the position is at the World Agroforestry Headquarters in Nairobi.

How to apply

Prepare:

• A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position, and your salary expectations.
• Detailed and up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone numbers and email addresses, and fax details if available.

Address these to:

The Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) via email to: icrafhru@cgiar.org. Indicate “Application for Post-doctoral Fellow- Geoscience Lab” on the application letter. Applications will be considered until 29 March 2013. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

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