Job Description

About IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Job Purpose

This position will be based at the IRRI Thailand Country Office and may only be filled by permanent citizens of Thailand. This position will compile, analyze, and map the technical, spatial, and mechanization aspects of Dry Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) adoption across regions to identify suitable zones and develop a DSR technical manual and service provider database for the GCF (Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice-Farming) project.

Roles and Responsibilities

Development of DSR Manuals for Thailand

Compile and review technical data on DSR systems (Wet DSR, Dry DSR, Mechanized DSR, and Drone DSR).
Collect and summarize crop establishment methods that focus on DSR, machinery used, and mechanization levels at each production stage.
Analyze mechanization adoption rate per production stage (e.g. % mechanization in land preparation, seeding, harvesting, etc.)
Prepare a concise Thai and English DSR Technical Manuals for national reference. Consultations with farmers, service providers, and partner agencies are required to finalize the manuals.
Facilitate discussions/consultations with relevant stakeholders to refine the manuals.

DSR Suitability Analysis

Collect and analyze secondary data on rice areas under wet and dry DSR by region/province.
Develop mechanization status indicators (e.g., tractors per 1,000 farmers, machinery per hectare, HP/ha).
Conduct spatial suitability mapping using elevation, slope, field size, soil texture, and irrigation conditions.
Prepare GIS and Excel datasets for mechanization and DSR suitability indicators.
Conduct DSR suitability analysis and define best agronomic practices for DSR systems in Thailand.

DSR Machinery and Drone Service Provider Database

Compile data on machinery and drone service centers, including type, location, and operational coverage.
Prepare a national database with attributes such as capacity, service cost, and operating area.
Develop a GIS-based visualization of machinery and service distribution.

Qualifications

Master’s degree or higher in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanization, Agronomy, or related fields.
Minimum 10 years of experience in agricultural mechanization research, technology evaluation, or crop production analysis.
Proven experience in data compilation, mechanization assessment, and GIS-based analysis.
Strong background in preparing technical reports or manuals related to agricultural systems.
Familiarity with Thai agricultural datasets (DoAE, LDD, DOA, RD, GISTDA).