A-Scientist, Patancheru

Location

Patancheru | India

Job description

Scientist – Microbiology

ICRISAT seeks applications from motivated individuals for the position of Scientist – Microbiology for ICRISAT Development Centre to support activities under the Global Research Program of Resilient Farm and Food Systems (GRP-RF&FS) on carbon sequestration and dynamics. The incumbent will be based at ICRISAT, Patancheru, Hyderabad, India.

ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems.

ICRISAT is headquartered at Patancheru near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and eight country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT envisions a prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics . Its mission is to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics. ICRISAT conducts research on its mandate crops of chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the arid and semi-arid tropics. The Institute focuses its work on the drylands and in protecting the environment. Tropical dryland areas are usually seen as resource-poor and perennially beset by shocks such as drought, thereby trapping dryland communities in poverty and hunger and making them dependent on external aid. Please visit –

Responsibilities:

·Undertake studies on organic waste recycling to build soil organic carbon at landscape scale.

·Design and execute effective organic farm waste recycling interventions, biochar production models, monitor data, and analyse the impact on soil health.

·Conduct research on soil organic carbon dynamics, trade-offs, and carbon sequestration.

·Devising strategies for building soil organic carbon at production system level through organic/natural/Regenerative agriculture practices across diverse ecosystems.

·Conduct on-farm action research trials and scaling up different organic waste recycling technologies including development of community level entrepreneurship.

·Writing of new research/ developmental proposals on livelihoods improvement through waste to wealth initiatives.

·Supervise and lead the team of technical and supporting field staff working in the areas of soil carbon/microbiology and carbon sequestration.

·Write and communicate research and development findings to various stakeholders for scaling up; documentation and peer reviewed publications.

·Strengthen the capacity of farmers, line departments, NARS partners on different carbon sequestration and trade-offs.

·Contribute to writing training materials, technical progress reports and annual reviews and work plans as directed by the project management.

·Ability to communicate across multiple cultural contexts and across scientific disciplines.

·Excellent organizational skills and experience working on large, complex development programs as part of multidisciplinary team.

·Undertake any other duties as required by ICRISAT and needs of the center and as reviewed from time to time by the Research Program Director.

Requirements:

·3-5 years of extensive R4D experience with a Ph.D. in soil science/Microbiology or any other related disciplines along with experience in organic farming/natural farming.

· Demonstrated skills in undertaking farmer participatory action research trials in composting.

· Experience on rapid composting technology and it’s scaling up at community scale.

· Experience of working effectively in teams and a proven ability to help improve the farmers’ income through rural composting business models and farm level composting. 

· Experience in microbial culture techniques, identification and characterization of microorganisms, PGP traits of microorganisms.

· Liaise effectively with variety of stakeholders such as livelihood improvement agencies, CSR, Government departments, NARS partners and research institutions.

· Ability to develop effective relationships and work harmoniously in outcome focused and multi-disciplinary team environment.

· Independently plan and carry out research on the nominated research project and work towards completion of the aims of the project.

· Perform data analysis, preparation of reports and communicate this information to different stakeholders.

· Excellent analytical skills and ability to implement monitor and evaluate on field demonstrations.

· Ability and willingness to travel to out station locations for demonstrations and data collection.

· High-level written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including demonstrated experience on preparing reports and research papers within required timeframe for a range of audience.

· Perform other activities as may be deemed appropriate by the Program Leadership team.

Desired experience:

· Experience in working with government agencies, different CSR donors on projects towards sustainable agricultural practices.

· Demonstrated ability in proposal writing, project management and training to different stakeholders on circular economy (waste to wealth technologies, soil health management through organic carbon build-up, beneficial soil microorganisms etc).

· Aptitude to work collegially and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural environments. 

General:

This is a contractual position for a period of 12 months.

How to apply:

Applicants should apply on or before 20 April 2023 , with their latest Resume, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short listed candidates will be contacted.

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer

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