Senior agro-ecologist

The World Agroforestry Centre seeks to recruit a senior scientist to co-lead its Global Research Project (GRP) on improving on-farm productivity of trees and agroforestry systems. The objective of the GRP is to develop better understanding and approaches for the enhancement of on-farm productivity through improved agroforestry systems. This includes nutrient cycling between trees, animals and crops; using local ecological knowledge to develop improved agroforestry management principles; enhancement of tree species diversity; coping mechanisms for climate variability; and tree-soil interactions in matching species to sites and systems.

The successful candidate will report to the Deputy Director General and will work with other scientists within and outside of the GRP.

Responsibilities

• Help develop a vibrant research program in agroforestry systems and on-farm productivity enhancement using trees
• Strengthen cross-regional integration of research in this domain
• Undertake research that generates international public goods (IPG)
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals
• Undertake synthesis and meta-analysis of lessons and research results across sites
• Prepare research proposals and lead fund raising efforts for the GRP

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD in production ecology (agriculture, forestry)
• Minimum of 8-10 years research experience
• Solid scientific publication record
• Experience in developing, testing and/or use of synthetic modelling approaches
• Experience in integrating biophysical and socioeconomic aspects of production systems
• Familiarity with the constraints of smallholder agroforesters and rural livelihoods
• Experience in linking plot-level production ecology to landscape level environmental services (water flows, erosion/sedimentation, carbon stocks, biodiversity)