About IRRI

Job Purpose

The Post-doctoral Fellow will implement research that contributes to the Asian Mega Delta (AMD) Initiative, and potentially other research projects in the IRRI-Cambodia Office. This research covers studies that examine sustainable transitions of the agriculture and water system in the upper Mekong Delta Region in Cambodia with potential contributions or comparisons with other AMD countries. The incumbent should bridge disciplines and have interdisciplinary background and interest with deeper skills in water systems but familiarity and interest with social science and agricultural systems. The incumbent should be a passionate scientist from a broad background that look towards addressing these sustainability challenges in rice-based landscapes as they may also contribute to research on, up and downstream hydrological dynamics including surface and groundwater, irrigation systems. The AMD implements multi-disciplinary research, so the post-doctoral fellow may be involved in research on farmer practices in relation to cropping systems and water management for food production, with implications to governance, institutions and policies. We are looking for a candidate with a strong sustainability sciences background and broad systems thinking and capacities, and ability to work with different social and ecological data types but is also able to work on research with multi-stakeholder linkages, governance and broader policies in the current systems and systems in transition.

This position will be based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and is open for international applications.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Design and implement socio-ecological systems research on sustainable and equitable agricultural and water systems, including gender-based socio-economic constraints, risks, resource management and opportunities for technology adoption
• Develop field surveys examining farming practices, responses to risks and shocks and different levels (farmer and decision-makers) including the perceptions and use of new technology innovations, such as mechanization, transitions to new crops/aquaculture systems, automated water sensors, and participatory adaptation planning
• Analyze quantitative data from surveys and field studies and contribute to primary and secondary data collection inputs as required for systems analysis and modeling
• Support and oversee partner field research through development and evaluation of research designs execution, analysis, and reporting to ensure high quality and robust outputs
• Supervise national staff researchers and students
• Contribute to research on policy and governance studies
• Writing publications related to the research
• Collaborate with consultants, scientists across the CGIAR, national partners, students/research fellows, and the research team to co-design and implement socio-ecological studies
• Work with partners at IRRI Cambodia, as well as those in other countries of the Asian Mega Delta Initiative. Foster good working relationships with national research and extension partners, both in public and private sectors, as well as donor representatives across the work region
• Engage partners in advanced research institutes to actively pursue research and funding opportunities
• Communicate key messages and project progress with donors, policymakers, and other primary stakeholders
• Lead the implementation of socio-ecological research, provide analysis from survey data, ecological data, and qualitative studies
• Manage project budgets and partnership agreements with support from supervisor and team
• Contribute to ecological studies of water and agricultural systems and landscapes level
• Contribute to policy and governance studies
• Develop high quality research outputs and manuscripts
• Guidance to the project implementers, bringing insights for gender and inclusivity to ensure these are included in the process being piloted for sustainability transitions

Qualifications

• PhD in environmental sciences (or related field with strong interdisciplinary background)
• Or 10 years of equivalent training / experience

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Proven ability or potential to perform in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment
• Has demonstrated quantitative skills and familiarity with mixed methods approaches
• Has demonstrated analytical skills
• Proven ability or potential to integrate gender and social dimensions in research design and analysis
• Has excellent organizational skills

Preferred

• At least 3 years’ experience in applied research on agriculture, work experience in a developing country environment

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.