Climate Change impacts rice production through exacerbated and more frequent climate extremes, rising sea levels and temperatures. Understanding future trends is crucial in order to plan ahead and implement adaptation options to increase resilience of agricultural systems. Working with various national and international partners in different projects, IRRI develops strategies to increase the level of adoption of climate-smart technologies in rice production. This task needs a concerted approach of an inter-disciplinary team of experts.

Under the general direction of a Senior Scientist, the Scientist will lead project activities related to climate change adaptation, engage and strategize with partners including government and private sector, conduct studies on regional projections of climate change impacts on crop production and the productivity of agricultural systems and co-develop adaptation measures and plans for important agricultural regions with a focus on Asia. The incumbent will also assist in implementing capacity building and communication advocacy as well as write funding proposals, policy briefs, research reports and scientific articles. The successful candidate will further develop and communicate scientific results to a range of stakeholders including policy makers, development partners and donors.

This position will be based at the IRRI Vietnam Office in Hanoi, and is open for international applications.

• Conduct studies on climate change impacts on rice-based crop production systems and on the adaptation of different agricultural systems to climate change (e.g. through climate-smart agriculture)
• Coordinate and lead activities on adaptation planning (e.g. based on climate change projections and crop modelling) for increased climate resilience and align research with development priorities through partnerships with national and regional public and private sector organizations
• Lead projects/ project components with a focus on climate change and climate-smart agriculture contributing to IRRI’s and OneCGIAR’s climate change research agenda with a focus in Southeast Asia while also contributing to works in other regions
• Co-develop with national and international partners adaptation plans for critical agricultural regions in Asia
• Closely collaborate with other scientists at IRRI as well as across the OneCGIAR to establish strong inter-disciplinary research networks for outcome-oriented delivery of results
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with national research and extension partners, both in public and private sectors, as well as donor representatives across the work region and engage partners in advanced research institutes to actively pursue research and funding opportunities
• Manage the performance of nationally-recruited staff associated with climate change research at IRRI
• Ensure the timely completion of high-quality deliverables under the Scientist’s responsibility
• Lead the development of new climate change research proposals
• Initiate and actively support short- and long-term capacity building
• Communicate research results and new ideas in a broad array of outlets, including peer-reviewed journals, mass media, policy fora as well as national and international scientific conferences

• PhD in agriculture, agricultural economics, environmental sciences, geography, or other discipline related to climate change modeling
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in research; PostDoc experience and work experience in international agricultural ‘research for development’ is an asset

Mandatory

• Demonstrated ability to perform in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment as well as in a team
• Advanced experience with crop- and regional climate models
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, experience in project management, as well as strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability and willingness to explore and learn new work disciplines
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Preferred

• Experience working in developing countries in Asia
• Sound knowledge around climate change challenges in agriculture

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.